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That holiday feeling..

Posted: 13-05-2008 10:02:05
...is in my bones as today is my last day for a few weeks. I'm moving house for a few days then getting some sunshine. Truth is, I can't wait. I hope the guys handle the huge amount of work we have to get through. I feel guilty handing over the responsibility, good luck Ed!

I'm gone.

My shoulder..

Posted: 12-05-2008 10:25:54
.. aches from continual sweeping and hoovering. I'm crap at manual labour. It doesn't suit me at all. I come out in bruises and pain.

I'm on holiday in 3 days. To be brutally honest, I can't wait, I haven't had a day off this year, it's been relentless. Bet the weather will change on Wednesday!

Duke of .......

Posted: 09-05-2008 11:24:03
.....Edinburgh. George's turn this weekend, 3 days on the moors....

On a very different note, get this, Professor Charlie Craddock, one of the leading men in the blood cancer business, took the time out of his incredibly busy schedule to come to my kids school this morning to tell them all about Leukaemia. One of their classmates got diagnosed with it a few weeks back, he's in hospital goin through treatment. I went to the chat and was quite humbled to hear the prof speak, and was very impressed that he took the time to drive to the school and talk to the kids. It's proof that there are good people all around us, big respect to the prof.

Enjoy your weekend.

My daughter..

Posted: 08-05-2008 16:23:44
.. did a dance off at school to raise money for some presents for her class mate who has been diagnosed with Leukaemia. Good girl George, much respect from your Dad. x

Happiness is...

Posted: 07-05-2008 10:56:05
...sitting in traffic when the A34 has been shut.

It's very English to talk about the weather but, everything is better when the sun shines. Everyone is happier, people develop manners and the crappy parts of the city look slightly better.

It's amazing..

Posted: 06-05-2008 09:45:05
...how it can rain over the holiday and then be beautiful and sunny the minute you start back to work. It's clever that is.

Did you vote?

Posted: 02-05-2008 09:32:07
.... I did. The sooner we kick out this corrupt, tax obssessed, money laundering, lying, self interest only party and replace it with the other corrupt, tax obssessed, money laundering, self interest only party, the better.

This country is a mess. Come the revolution, I'll fix it. The NHS will be abolished, Banks will be nationalised (pretty much like Northern Rock is) and will become non profit organisations, the tax rate will be 10% across the board and everyone will have to pay about £25 a month in health insurance. Everyone will be better off, the big corporates will make less money, if you go into hospital it won't kill you and the place will be clean. Ministers will only be allowed to answer questions with a Yes or a No. Lolly Pop ladies will have the same status as Judges. It'll be paradise.

This Bank holiday weekend I mainly be: Taxi at 0600 for a Duke of Edinburgh trek in Wales, putting up TV's on the walls and watching a charity Rugby Match. Cricket and Tennis on Sunday, my eldest's 24th Birthday party too. Georgia is modelling in the city of Bath for 2 days.... I'm knackered just thinking about it all. Have a good one yerself....

Last night...

Posted: 01-05-2008 08:57:05
... I mainly ate a chicken dinner (cooked by my wife who really is a genius cook, she just does stuff and it's delicious) and watched the football whilst every one in the house (the other 5) tried their best to interupt my viewing pleasure. In the end I had to resort to violence.

I went to..

Posted: 30-04-2008 09:19:21
.. my sons summer concert last night at Symphony Hall. Normally, school events are a bit dim, the band is out of tune, the school can't afford good quality instruments, the teachers can't be bothered.... but not his school. The orchestra (yes, orchstra) is brilliant and the standard of singing is simply divine. The concert opened with a piece by Handel called Zadok the Priest, you'll know the piece when you hear it, but it was absolutely stunning, quite emotional, it got into the core of my being. This is the piece
(not by my sons school, just an example)

I've got...

Posted: 29-04-2008 17:12:03
... labrythitus. It's wierd, it's like I've had a few drinks but haven't and everything around me moves at a different pace to everything else. It's ok except when I forget and stand up quick. It's an odd feeling.

I went..

Posted: 28-04-2008 09:16:08
...to Dublin this weekend to watch some dancing. My flight was delayed going over so I missed Jean Butlers show, I walked in as they were walking out. I watched Colin Dunne on Saturday. He's a genius, he's created a one man show, it's very entertaining and I hope he tours it. Dublin has changed though, it's incredibly expensive and there aren't many Irish there it would seem. All the service industry jobs seem to have been taken by other nationalities, it's quite a dramatic shift of labour.

Back in Brum though now, heads down for another busy period. We've got the Cure Leukaemia Art Auction coming up in 3 weeks so that'll begin to consume us, we have been given some high profile work this year, we've even got something from Damien Hirst (that's quite amazing don't you think)... others too including Nigella Lawson, Quenton Blake and David Hockney (it sounds like I'm making it up but I'm not).

It's rubbing off...

Posted: 24-04-2008 10:13:08
...on the family at least. I got home last night to find the flag of St George adorning the front of our house... magic.

It should be...

Posted: 23-04-2008 09:16:56
... a patriotic day today being St Georges day and all that. However, the English, aren't good at that sort of thing, mainly I think because we've had any sense of patriotism bashed out of us during the ridiculous era of political correctness we've endured during the last 30 years. It wasn't so long ago, that raising the flag of St George was interpreted by the idiots on the left as you being a bloody racist.

It's time we took back the flag. As an Englishman it's my flag. It's as important to me as the flags of Scotland, Wales and Ireland are to the Scots, Welsh and Ireland and rightly so too. So, fellow Englishmen and women, celebrate your identity today, if you aren't English, you are very welcome to celebrate our day today with us just as we celebrate your relevent days.

Have a nice day wherever you are. If you're a white trash chav, can you stay indoors please (you're embarrasing, I'm trying to stimulate some pride here).

Never give...

Posted: 22-04-2008 09:57:42
...your kids your debit card. I am taking my 2 older boys to Spain for a few days rest later next month. I asked my little boy to sort it all out for us, book the flights and seats etc. My son's are all dead cool (I'd say that wouldnt I) so I have no problem leaving things in their responsible and mature hands (the youngest is now 11). Therefore I wasn't at all suprised to find, as a joke, he's spent an extra £100 on "extras" for us on our journey. He thought it was hilarious (I'm not sure he's grabbed the concept of money yet). We are having champagne on the flight (it's at 0700) we can all take 2 suitcases each (we'd normally take none) and we I think will have happy birthday sung to us on the plane (it's no-ones Birthday)..... nice one son, I'll be getting you back...

We had a

Posted: 21-04-2008 09:21:53
.... very nice weekend our family did. All the usual stuff with lots of laughter in between.

I've changed most of the radio stations in my car (except for Radio 3 and 4 of course), you should try it, it's very refreshing. I'm currently listening to Stingdem, which is a pure reggae station, Krshnan, which, as far as I can make out, is dedicated to Guru Nanak, KrissFM which is gangsta chavtastic (hilarious) and this morning I managed to find a christian station called Go. Coupled with this I'm also listening to an album a Abba tunes played in a 70's funk stylie. It's either brilliant or complete tosh, I'm not sure which (it's well recorded though so it sounds great loud, as I've said before, it's the only way to listen to anything Abba).

I had..

Posted: 18-04-2008 09:57:17
.. faggots last night with mushy peas or as they say in the black country, "gray pays" they were delicious and repeated on me like clockwork, just how faggots should!

Not only is it Friday but we're fast approaching the end of the month again. Not sure if this speeding up of time thing is good. I blame women driving kids to school. If it became illegal to drive your kids to school, we'd get to work quicker, which would mean we wouldn't start the day in a rush therefore we'd take our time, therefore things would go slower, simple isn't it, I'm a genius.

Have a fine weekend, this weekend I mainly be... cleaning windows, taxiing, tennis and cooking.

What a difference...

Posted: 16-04-2008 09:43:02
... a proper carpenter makes. What a fantastic skill. I have found a master carpenter if ever you need one. I've also come across a master kitchen maker, decorator and plumber. I am the new middle man. I have the definative A team now, we can rebuild, create, fix, anything. Call me if you need anything, no job too big.

I didn't get ...

Posted: 14-04-2008 11:57:30
... out of bed on Saturday until 1200. My daughter and wife spolied me rotten, I had bacon and eggs served in bed with my favourite coffee whilst I watched the cooking programmes on the telly. It was quite relaxing I have to say. The only negative is the day vanishes even quicker than normal because you've missed half of it by the time you get up. The day was topped off beautifully with a visit to the Grange Theatre to watch A Passionate Woman. Once again, a real treat, brilliantly acted, very funny and literally, down the road.

Auntie Vicky cooked us a lovely lamb roast yesterday, very tasty with delicious vegetables. It was so good I stole all the leftovers for bubble and sqeak tonight.

Does anyone..

Posted: 11-04-2008 09:39:46
...know where I can find a Variocom Valve Set? and does anyone know what it is?

Life is slowly coming back to normal after a very traumatic and potentially expensive week. I've booted my builders off the job and got a new team in place. I hope it now goes in the right direction cause I'm running out of time. Why is it deadlines are never met and if you have lots of time to do something you always end up rushing at the end? and why is it that, as a rule, if you trust someone not to take the piss, they usually do?

Anyway, have a nice weekend, I will mainly be... sweeping up.

My daughter...

Posted: 09-04-2008 12:57:26
... insists she didn't buy the Toblerones from the airport and also insists she thought Toblerones came from Italy. She gave me a right rollocking when I got home last night!

Guess what...

Posted: 08-04-2008 14:52:59
...my daughter bought her brothers back from Italy?.... .......
................................... .................. a Toblerone each. Swiss chocolate from the airport, how considerate.

The weekend....

Posted: 07-04-2008 15:25:58
.... from hell was just had. It's carrying over into the week, I suspect this will be a tough week but the good news is Ed is back.

I got a puncture on Saturday, how dull is that then...

A most...

Posted: 04-04-2008 16:18:32
...unusual week this one was. We've been really down in numbers and the pressure of everything seems to have hit us hard with everyone covering for everyone else. Glad it's over really, bring on the weekend I say.

Have a nice weekend, I am going to be cleaning again but you know what, I'm actually looking forward to it.

It got better...

Posted: 03-04-2008 10:04:13
... but only after I had played tennis like a blind person and lost 0-6. It got better because I decided to go for a balti with my wife and test out a restaurant that I'd been told was up to the mark. I had Sag Chicken and Sarah had Prawn Sag. Mine was supposed to be Madras but they got it mixed up, not a problem though, it was delicious, very friendly staff, clean and fresh food, not swimming in ghee. So the day ended much better than it started thank goodness.

I still need a massage though...

today...

Posted: 02-04-2008 11:10:56
....is a bad day, they are rare these days, but it's a bad day. I need a massage.

I'm going to...

Posted: 01-04-2008 09:56:08
..start meditating. I watched the charming professor Kathy Sykes last night. It would seem it's very good for you, just 30 minutes a day can make you happy, calm and lower everything. Maybe we should have group session here in the office every morning....

Ciao bella..

Posted: 31-03-2008 13:18:19
...my daughter has gone to Italy for a week. I was shocked at how strong the euro is, blimey it's not cheap anymore, you only get 1.2 to the £1.

Ed was out of hospital, then he had to go back in, but he's back out again today... he's on steroids apparently, he'll be twice as big when he comes back.....

Much love..

Posted: 28-03-2008 11:27:40
...going out to Ed who really isn't very well. He's caught something very nasty and we send out lots of good vibes to help him recover. He's still in hospital and we have no idea how long he'll be there. His wife is medical so no doubt she'll be looking after him.

The short week has thrown me completely, it's Friday isn't it... thought it was Thursday. Oh well, more cleaning up this weekend.... looking forward to it actually.. good therapy...

Have a nice one yerself..

My kids...

Posted: 27-03-2008 10:41:26
..have been extremely naughty and are enjoying a complete ban of priviledges ie computer, TV, games consoles and phones. The ban is ongoing until I calm down, might be lifted in a few months.

Acoustic..

Posted: 25-03-2008 10:30:20
..drums are very loud if played correctly. My youngest was 11 yesterday and he had a drum kit. It is soooo loud, I'd completely forgotten just how loud they are (it's brilliant though) adds to the mayhem of our home.

A very enjoyable Easter break was had but I really didn't want to come into work today, could have easily enjoyed a full week, especially in the sunshine... I'm beginning to smell paella and sun tan oil in my dreams......

This bank holiday, I mainly..

Posted: 20-03-2008 11:57:17
..be cleaning the building site that is our new family home again. I'll be sweeping, hovering and mopping. To make it more enjoyable, I'll have Radio 3 on very loud and I'll be smoking a Montecristo No5, indoors of course, because I can.

On Sunday we'll surround ourselves with family and friends for a large feast suplimented with good wine and banter. I'm going to cook a whole leg of lamb, if you ask the butcher for the whole leg there's a fantastic bit of meat at the top they normally cut off and sell seperate... string it up in a roll at the top of the leg, keep it attached, it's fantastic, but you need a big oven to get it in!

Have fun whatever you are doing.

It saddened...

Posted: 19-03-2008 09:42:10
... me to hear about the plight of the Gerkhas this morning. It's OK to fight and die for this country but after the war you can't come and live here. Gerkhas do not have the right to live here after retirement from the army. This government needs kicking up the arse. It's OK to come here from the EU and claim benefits immediately, we'll even put you in a house, but if you've fought in the Falklands or wherever on behalf of this country, possibly have members of your family killed on our behalf, we'll turn our back on you. How disgraceful, be ashamed Mr Brown, be ashamed.... or better still, overturn this stupid, ignorant, arrogant, disgraceful ruling immediately and without debate.

I'm not happy about it as you can probably guess.

I've changed my mind about Chris Moyles, he's a genius (especially after mentioning me yesterday), what a talent.

I want....

Posted: 18-03-2008 14:26:06
....never gets.

My weekends...

Posted: 17-03-2008 09:40:03
... get better and better just lately. Went for a walk on Saturday and got absolutely drenched, reminded me of when I was a kid. My daughter has got stuck into her tennis lessons and already has a wicked back hand, something I have tried 10 years to get and still fail. Rugby fest on Saturday was thrilling, I really enjoyed watching Wales, I really felt the emotion, would have been magic to be in the stadium.

Yesterday was good too, drove to Lichfield for a couple of pints and came home to a fine lunch topped off with a visit from the eldest boy and his girlfriends. Things aren't too bad at the moment even though today is my wifes nine weekly full MOT at the hospital which is always a bit scary....

Last night...

Posted: 14-03-2008 09:32:05
...we went to a sports dinner with some of our clients and friends. We had a laugh and if I can remember rightly, have bought some tickets for Ed to play in a celebrity rugby team sometime in March.... that should sort his knee out.

It's weekend time again, middle of March and already very close to April. I can feel a holiday coming on.....

Have a nice weekend.

I met a...

Posted: 13-03-2008 11:36:43
...man on Tuesday whom I thought was a woman. He was definately a man because his name was very male and he had a mans voice, but he looked like a teenage girl. He was dressed like a man so what's all that about then....?

Nurse!

I need...

Posted: 12-03-2008 10:35:23
... a massage. Can anyone help?

I had one..

Posted: 11-03-2008 09:17:45
..of those crazy moments last night, moments when you take in what's going on around you and observe. We'd all just finished our tea (a fine rogan josh cooked by her majesty) and a few minutes later, Johnny was playing his drums loudly, Lewis had got his head in a bowl of steaming water to bring out his teenage blackheads and George was trying to touch the ceiling without lifting her feet off the floor. You had to be there really....

You'd think, if you'd lived with someone for 25 years you'd know everything about them right? Well no, I learned last night that my wife is an expert at removing blackheads, an amaxing trick with a hair clip. I jest not, I was totally amazed, gross but genius.

I'm not made out..

Posted: 10-03-2008 09:17:02
.. to do manual labour, I did a bit this Saturday and it nearly killed me. I ache all over, have a cold sore and was kept awake last night by a nasty pain in my left shoulder. I should keep to playing tennis and working in the office.

Went to the Grange Theatre in Walsall again on Saturday to watch a play, "Ladies Day." Really well acted, great production, very funny. What a brilliant secret that theatre is..........

The news..

Posted: 07-03-2008 09:16:49
... isn't very nice at the moment is it? Kids killed in Israel which is terrible but I can't help but notice how it's being reported. Last week, Israels armed forces killed 120 civilians and it was hardly on the news, women and kids were slaughtered and homes were destroyed. I might just be plain ignorant on this one but it seems the coverage is slightly bias, maybe there's a reason I'm not aware of, anyways, it's all terribly sad.

Also in the news, our soldiers have been told not to wear uniform in Peterborough because they're getting abuse. No doubt the same weak, pathetic, cowards dishing out the abuse will be first in the queue demanding protection by the same troops should we ever really need them. Come the revolution, anyone being disrespectful to a member of the serving armed forces, will be used for live target practice.... tossers.

I'm looking forward to the weekend, not for any specific reason, family, food, sleep, walk, tennis, plaster dust. Have a good one.

I drove...

Posted: 06-03-2008 16:06:43
.... to Worcester today, it was great, the motorway was clear and the sun was out, lovely drive I had.

Ed took me out for a curry last night, that was lovely too. It tasted better than normal cause he paid. Maharaja lamb madras.... I reckon I could live on the stuff...

The New Beeb Site...

Posted: 05-03-2008 16:47:37
... what new beeb site?

The weather is..

Posted: 04-03-2008 10:49:24
... fabulous at the moment, I love it.

On my...

Posted: 03-03-2008 09:26:11
... way in this morning I was scanning the radio station and stopped when The Winner Takes it All by Abba was playing. I turned it up really loud and paid attention to it. Everything about it is brilliant, the tune, the production even the compression and to think the lyrics, which are excellent, are written by men for whom English is their second language. Truly fabulous, next time you hear an Abba track on the radio, turn it right up and listen.

Fab family day yesterday, cooked a joint of sirloin and the missis baked some top quality cakes and an apple and blackberry pie. I fell asleep in front of the telly like a big fat content pig.

My daughter...

Posted: 29-02-2008 10:14:53
.... did her first modelling job last night. She did great, looked incredible and worse of all, with the make up and hair attention, she looked like a woman.

Friday again and the end of the month too. Look out all you blokes with serious girlfriends, apparently, today being the 29th it's cool for the woman to ask the man to be married....
I just reminded Mark only to be told I'd forgotten he'd already asked her.....

Enjoy your weekend. Sunday is Mothering Sunday, our kids will be making a fuss.

It occurred...

Posted: 28-02-2008 12:30:03
...to me last night that I really love my car. Am I wierd? When the builders have left my house I'm going to treat myself to some new carpets for it (plaster dust), I'm actually looking forward to it..... I am wierd aren't I?

I watched..

Posted: 27-02-2008 09:35:52
... Michael Clayton (the film) last night. It was really, really good. You have to concentrate when you watch it cause it's a bit complex but if you can keep up it's terrific. The acting is superb.

Saw my mate Phil last night for a pint and scampi. His knee operation went well and he'll be playing tennis again in about 6 weeks (fantastic!). Meanwhile, on the tennis front, I continue to be ridiculed by my coach a few times a week.

I had..

Posted: 26-02-2008 16:32:34
..a medical today. A nurse came round my house with loads of gizmo's. Did you know they can tell if you smoke or not from your piddle? Quite remarkable really.

On a very different note, big congratulations to Mark and Sadie, what a result!

That was..

Posted: 25-02-2008 09:23:23
.. a very eventful weekend. Johnny passed his school entrance exam so well done to him. I spent Saturday in town with Geroge who was having her hair dyed. It looks great, I took her clothes shopping too (as it was her Birthday), we had much fun. Finished the day with the family and a few friends round for curry.

Sunday was equally nice, I took Toms girlfriend for a driving lesson in my car, she did great. Few pints in a proper pub followed by family Sunday lamb roast. A fun filled family weekend, can't beat em.

Shock horror...

Posted: 22-02-2008 15:13:05
.... Lloydstsb only made £4,000,000,000 last year.

My angels birthday this weekend, so I'll mainly be partying.

Have a good one yourself.

Come the ...

Posted: 21-02-2008 09:55:40
...revolution, here are some of the laws that'll be in place. I'm going to write down all of them one day, it'll be in a book, but for now here's a few.

Pushing in, in any form ie bus queue, traffic queue, will be illegal. It will be against the law to eat whilst walking down the street. All McDonald restaurants will be demolished. Cars that have stupid lettering on their number plate will be crushed immediately. GMTV will be shut down.

There's more, there's more.....

More terrible...

Posted: 20-02-2008 09:38:47
...news to lose sleep about... Alliance and Leicester only made £300,000,000 last year. Thats a terrible 30% drop on the year before... how on earth will they survive?..... lets all kill ourselves..

I saw a man driver bully a woman driver this morning by refusing to move so the woman couldn't get out. He was in the wrong, it wasn't good to watch. He deserved a smack. Come the revolution, any man who was nasty to a woman (without being nastied to first) would get a smack from the traffic smacking police, who would be made up of nasty white van driving men (who had had their vans taken off them for being nasty).

I feel sorry for..

Posted: 19-02-2008 10:28:11
...Barclays Bank, they had to write off 1.6 billion in bad debt, it has reduced their profit to a mere £7,100,000,000 for the last twelve months. That's profit you know, glad to hear the recession is kicking in. Barclay's will be announcing job losses soon.

If you pay tax, I think you've just bailed out Northern Rock for £50,000,000,000. It's all ridiculous don't you think. Does that mean if you run a business in Britain the government will bail you out if you are incompetent? I doubt it, keep paying your tax good folk of Britain.

How spooky is...

Posted: 18-02-2008 10:22:51
...this? My alarm is normally set at 0650 but on half term week (last week) I set it at 0750. I was in a deep sleep when I suddenly realised (whilst fast asleep) I had not changed my alarm time. I shot up out of bed, looked at the clock, it was exactly 0650! (I have a digital numerical clock) ...it was very spooky.

The kids didn't want a Sunday roast yesterday, so I foolishly said you can have whatever you want. One had pancetta, chilli and mushroom pasta, one had bangers, mash and red wine gravy, and the third had jambalaya. My wife cooked tandoori chicken which I have to say, was quite brilliant. We managed to serve everything up at the same time ( I think we got lucky).

On the way into..

Posted: 15-02-2008 10:02:28
....work this morning, I drove particularly slowly as there was little traffic and I could actually choose what speed to travel rather than it being dictated by the car in front. It was a very pleasant drive in I have to say. Waiting at the office was the nice man from the garage who has taken my car for a service and a wash..... All very civil.

I'm hungry this morning, I can feel a bacon butty coming on.... enjoy your weekend, wherever you may be.....

Nice...

Posted: 14-02-2008 10:37:46
...curry, nice people, nice time was had. Unfortunately, Al didn't make it, he went out with the men and they killed him. He's at home, not very well. Oh to be young....

Have you noticed..

Posted: 13-02-2008 12:51:58
...the light is still around at about 1730. The days are getting longer at last... looking forward to some sun this year...

Talking of heat, it's curry night with the boys tonight, I fancy something so hot it makes me cry... stories tomorrow.

I had...

Posted: 12-02-2008 10:13:50
...really bad indegestion last night. I reckon my tennis coach did it.

Why is the news (TV) making me so cross, can someone explain?

The weather is..

Posted: 11-02-2008 12:12:26
... making me happy. It's beautiful but I do hope it doesn't fool the birds into thinking the spring is here in full.

Lovely weekend was had, took my teenagers to get their hairs cut, George got asked to be a model for the salon so she's well chuffed and Lewie got given loads of gunk and stuff, so he's happy. Saturday evening we had a lovely Thai meal with our neighbours in downtown Lichfield and spent a few hours yesterday playing with Ed's baby Zach. He really is a lovely little chap, good parenting obviously.

If I were God...

Posted: 08-02-2008 09:48:52
... I'd be very embarrassed by one of my apparent close team members, the Archbishop of Cantebury. What a complete idiot.... you know I don't believe in God, but I wouldn't normally chastise those who do, but for goodness sake, what is this fool talking about, does he have any idea what's going on in the world? What we need is a strengthening of legal principles not bloody dilution with some laws created in the 9th century based on religious beliefs (including battering women when you feel like it). Religion, what a farce, what a joke, what a mess. God bless everyone, no go on God, for your own sake, bless everyone, please.

After dropping my kids off to another gig fest last night, I enjoyed a game of Darts with young Matt and Gav. Their pub, is quite a place, last night was cheese night. Everyone brings cheese and shares little bits with their fellow cheese eaters, the pub supplies the bread and busicuits.... very social, very community minded, more good being done in that room that all the religious leaders of the world put together..... I'm quite crap at darts though.

Have a good weekend, whatever you believe.

try this...

Posted: 07-02-2008 09:25:00
... it's a question my 10 years old had to answer yesterday. If the time is 20 past 7, what is the value of the smaller angle created by the hands on the clock?

Send me an email with your answer ian@clevercherry.com

I missed...

Posted: 06-02-2008 09:04:42
.... all the pancakes 'cause I was on taxi service. George and Lew went to see the band Paramore at the Carling Academy last night, they're going again on Thursday to a Kerrang band fest. Oh to be 14......

Jam is the...

Posted: 05-02-2008 16:05:08
...thing you should have with yer pancakes, and don't forget the magic ingredient.......lard! enjoy your pancakes.. (my big son is Mr Pancake in our house, Mum even bought him a pancake pan the other day!)... yum yum.

I really like shopping......

Posted: 04-02-2008 09:45:59
...at Waitrose. Everything about it is brilliant, even the check out girls are well polite and look clean. After shopping for quality Scottish fillet steak, I took my wife to a lovely little pub called the Queens Head in Lichfield. We had a few pints of Timothy Taylor and it was thoroughly enjoyable, it took me back to the time when Sunday lunchtime, at 1230 precisely, my Dad used to take me for a pint. This particular pub in Lichfield was full of blokes, only 2 women, lots of jumpers, it was great, what a shame it wasn't full of smoke, that's all that it lacked.... come the revolution I'll allow the landlord of the pub to decide if smoking is allowed or not.

Shame about the Rugby, enjoyed both the English and Scottish games though.

My average ......

Posted: 01-02-2008 09:29:50
....today was 22mph. Much better.

I've got the builders in. It was going very well up to this week. Now it's going a bit wonky. I expected it, although I thought it would have happened sooner.

My weekend involves filling up a skip with building debris, if you want to help me, just give me a call I'll even pick you up. Free "cup a soup" with plastic bits in it at 11 o'clock, blisters, dry lips and loft insulation fibre on your throat all thrown in for nothing. I expect lots of takers.

Have a good, clean, warm weekend yourself.

My average ...

Posted: 31-01-2008 10:30:47
...speed on the way into work this morning was a staggering 7mph. I live 10 miles away, so it took me nearly an hour and a half...... magic

So, Nigella isn't going...

Posted: 30-01-2008 11:39:53
... leave her kids any of her, what must be, considerable wealth (not counting her husbands which is hundreds of millions), to her kids when she dies. Nice that, wonder if it's true? I can't imagine it is, can you?

Just when you think....

Posted: 29-01-2008 11:30:07
.... your standard is improving and perhaps you are hitting the ball harder, you have a session with your tennis coach and you are very quickly, brutaly, brought crashing down to earth with a huge bang. I love tennis, but I wish I was better at it.... I played like a complete fat, lazy, tired, pathetic, blind, miserable, spoilt, immature beginner last night.

Taps, toilets, tiles...

Posted: 28-01-2008 10:00:50
...is all I saw this weekend. I'm an expert in ceramics and the finer details of how internal flush systems work. Don't forget, if you want to hide all piping, you need to build some secret walls.

My daughter cooked her forst Sunday lunch yesterday, she even made giblet stock for the gravy, it was delicious... respect to my little girl (not so little).....

Haggis.....

Posted: 25-01-2008 16:16:01
.... is really nice with baked beans. I like haggis very much, I'll be having some later, any excuse really.

Not only is it the weekend tomorrow, but next week sees the start of February. I am struggling to keep up, I think we've had a good month but it's gone so quickly I can't tell.

I have another busy weekend lined up, no lie in tomorrow, got cricket practice at 0830 and then one thing leads into another and before you know it, it's 0650 on Monday morning.....

have a good one yerself.....

Lisa Stanway...

Posted: 25-01-2008 12:39:32
.....is here today with Keith, I havent seen her for 17 years.....

January 24th 1978....

Posted: 23-01-2008 12:38:55
... I passed my driving test. I was 17 years old, naive, spotty and still at school. I was in a band called SIREN and I played social clubs at the weekend, usually Friday Saturday and Sunday, I earned enough to already have bought a car. It was a Morris Marina Van, it costs £300 and I hand painted it chocolate brown. Being a complete tosser, I put l.e.d. lights in all the switches, it looked great at night! I passed my test even though I shouldn't have, I put myself in for the test on my birthday and only had time for 4 lessons, my instructor couldn't believe it, said I had no chance, but on that particular day, luck was with me. To re-inforce the tosser tag, from that day I never caught the bus to school again. I drove to school and used to time my journey home so I could ask the girls if they wanted a lift. I'm going bright red as I write this...... So, I've been driving for 30 years, nearly 11,000 days.... jesus.

Off to London with some of the boys, got a gig to film and some food to eat, see you Friday.

My missis...

Posted: 22-01-2008 13:29:38
...cooked a fabulous Rabbit stew last night, very french it was too. Rabbit, when cooked properly is a fabulous treat, I'm rubbish at cooking it. The secret to Sarah's rabbit, I found out yesterday, is that she cooks it at just 110 degrees for about 3-4 hours. I warm plates up at 100 degrees! ... anyways, it was delicious and rich and very, very filling, nice one wife.

If you listen to Radio 4 in the mornings you may be excused if you lose the will to live. It's soooooooo gloomy, when I switched it on today I thought the Russians had actually fired some weapons at us and the end was indeed nigh, but no, it was just that the economy is slowing down.... my goodness, how dramatic can a current affairs programme be? I told you there'd be talk of recession this year but blimey, not this soon.... relax everyone, relax........ the end is NOT nigh, it's only money......

I had...

Posted: 21-01-2008 13:28:45
...a fabulous weekend. I went to watch (thanks to Ed) Birmingham v Chelsea with my wife. We were in the Directors box and had a suprisingly good lunch. Serious, serious wealth in the room, you could almost smell it. I've never seen so many top of the range Roll Royce motor cars in one place... .. After that we went to the Grange Theatre to watch a farce called Charlies Aunt set in the late 19th century. It was very funny and really well put together. I never knew we had this theatre company near to where I live, I'll be going more often. Thanks to my tennis buddy Phil for sorting it out.

Yesterday, I played tennis with my angel Georgia, she's really good and we had such a laugh, she loves whacking the ball as hard as she can, we were in hysterics.... I must get her a coach, she could be good.... We went home to cook a lovely leg of lamb, followed by compulsory film time for all the family (computers switched off, everyone in the lounge)... we watched Beawulf, it was good entertainment... Cheese and buscuits with a large glass of port finished off a great few days........ it's great being me.......

Pushy parents.....

Posted: 18-01-2008 15:12:32
.... I saw loads of them this morning, 560 kids sitting for about 96 places. I would imagine most of those poor kids had endured months of extra tuition in Maths and whatever else. I'm against the principle of pushing your child into educational zones they can't cope with, the workload at this school is dramatic, I really think half the parents have no idea, if the kid ain't naturally smart, they end up struggling and miserable. My parenting policy is to nurture what they're good at and support the weak stuff, not bully them into being mathemeticians if they ain't got the natural skill. We'll see how my 10 year old gets on, he finds out in a month. We shared a cigarette behind the bike shed before going into the hall...... only joking (before someone writes to me, telling me it's wrong).

Very busy at the office, Ed is ringing the bell quite often so sales must be rockin..... have a good weeknd.

I know I've...

Posted: 17-01-2008 10:04:40
...mentioned this before but the Lamb Madras from the Maharaja on Hurst street is simply devine. I had some last night with my wife and it was delicious, so was the Dhal.

Parents evening tonight for my daughter and tomorrow my little son has a school entrance exam to do. No pressure, it's just that his brother passed it and we are all rooting for Johnny Rotten to pass.... good luck my son.

I went....

Posted: 16-01-2008 13:37:55
....to Ludlow yesterday, it's lovely there but I nearly got stuck in a flood on a country road. I love the country but I'm so glad I live near a city. I'm definately a townie.

I love my car, I just wanted to tell you that. It's great and goes very fast (bear with me, I'm in my forties remember).

Fillet steak...

Posted: 14-01-2008 12:34:08
...with onion rings, chips and peas is what I had for tea on Saturday. I can honestly say it was marvellous.

Didn't cook yesterday, went to auntie Vicky's for a slap up, top quality lunch. Very nice it was too.

All in all, I had a very pleasant weekend, I enjoyed being home.

Technology is...

Posted: 11-01-2008 10:31:35
...great. I just went to the dentist who has got a new toy. It's a camera that he rams in yer gob to show you exactly how much pain he's about to inflict and how the pain is going to be generated. It was quite interesting though I have to say and actually there was zero pain. He even put some numbing gel on my gums before the injection so I couldn't even feel the needle. It's all clever, the downside is it cost me £70!

First week done, as usual, it's fled by, suddenly it's Friday. Busy busy weekend too lined up. Have a good one.

Axminster don't do carpets, they....

Posted: 10-01-2008 10:21:18
....do CHICKENS!

Chickens....

Posted: 09-01-2008 09:26:58
...is my little boy's favourite word. He's prone to shout out the said word at any moment... it's quite funny..... but are you watching Hugh Fearnley Whittingstalls Chicken Out programme on Channel 4, 9pm (it's on again tonight). He's highlighting the plight of battery raised chickens. Here's a fact for you, 45 million chickens are culled each year BEFORE the rest are killed for eating, yes that's 45,000,000 killed because they're not fat enough or are unwell. That's 125,000 every day. It's a difficult one this because how can anyone condemn a mother trying to feed their family on a £2.50 chicken if that's all they can afford. Some might say they're making a good choice rather than buying real shite. The solution has to come from the supermarkets. To put numbers in perspective, Tesco made 2 billion in 2005, thats £2,000,000,000. They should invest in their own proper chicken farms, the country would love them for it, the chickens would too, chicken sales would increase, win win win...... CHICKENS!

It really didn't...

Posted: 08-01-2008 09:03:24
...take long for the drive into work to get back to its normal unpleasant self. Within 200 yards of setting out today we had two idiots pushing in a polite and gentle queue. The holiday break had given me the ability to forget how agressive the drive in can be. It always suprises me how agressive women are, particularly the ones who sit with the front seat as far forward as it'll go, watch out for that type.

Thank goodness...

Posted: 07-01-2008 09:41:22
...all that is out of the way. The funeral wasn't very nice, but I doubt if there ever was a funeral that was. It's over though, which is a good thing, Sarah has dealt with it all as well as could be expected, if not better.

The year truly starts today for me, I feel like a boxer might feel before his opponent comes into the ring.... bring it on 2008..... what you got?

Christmas day went like this....

Posted: 02-01-2008 09:26:39
0800: slap the boys because they're acting like spolied brats.
0900: get a call to say my wifes mum was dead. We have guests coming so Sarah decides not to cancel but to keep the news to oursleves for the day.
1030: I get a migrane and have to go to bed.
1300: I get up
1330: guests arrive
1430: after cooking a goose and turkey, I put the juices on the side by the sink to be used later for gravy.
1435: tom thinks theyre to be washed up, and washes them up.
1530: dinner is served. We all pull our crackers at the table only to find theyre self build crackers and have absolutely nothing inside them. Hilarious.

I'll stop there, there's more of course but it's becomes unbelievable. Despite all this we got through it. I have a funeral to attend so I won't be back until next week.

Highlight of...

Posted: 21-12-2007 11:27:54
...the year has to be the building of the studio and creation of the record label godmonkey.com (you'll hear more about it next year). Lowlight has to be the pathetic England footballers.

We've had a terrific year, thanks to all our clients and friends and of course the great bunch of people that work here. Next year will be a different kind of year as the nation's finances will be tightenend and I predict talk of a recession during 2008. We'll all have to work that little bit harder to achieve the same. I think that'll apply to all businesses across the UK.

Have a healthy and happy Christmas. I'll be back on the 3rd but the office will open on the 2nd.

Cheers to us all.

P.A.Y.E...

Posted: 20-12-2007 09:37:38
...stand for Pay As You Earn... it should be B.R.A.Y.E ... Be Robbed As You Earn.....

I'm Ok, really I am. I think it's just an end of year anti establishment thing I'm going through.

V.A.T. stands for....

Posted: 19-12-2007 11:57:18
...value added tax. "Value added" ...... who decided that then?

9% of all...

Posted: 18-12-2007 14:00:32
...the people who have ever lived, are still alive.

Who worked that out then?

Friday....

Posted: 17-12-2007 12:01:40
...we had the office party. It was fun, particularly the cigars and brandy.

Saturday, watched Walsall v Leeds with my son and friends, then back to ours for a jolly, it was fab.

Sunday, cooked a lamb dinner and chilled all day, magic.

Monday, back on yer head...

Corned beef...

Posted: 14-12-2007 09:39:05
...hash. My missis cooked me that last night and it was perfect. Onions, potatoes, chillies, corned beef, salt and pepper, HP sauce. Perfect.

Office party today, usually ends up with someone getting lost on the way home. Stories will be many on Monday.

Happy weekend.

Come the....

Posted: 13-12-2007 10:10:09
...Revolution, it will be a serious offence to drop litter. This morning I watched a grown man, probably in his 40's, wind down his car window (stationary in a traffic jam) and hurl out the wrapper to, what looked like, a big Mars bar. Now, I don't know about you, but if I did that, or any of my kids, the act itself would feel totally wrong. There's a kind of in built thing that just stops me from dropping litter, it doesn't feel right. So, as I sat there, literaly with my jaw open, I decided, come the Revolution, the punishment would be an immediate £250 fine. Failure to pay within 5 hours would double the penalty to £500, faliure to pay the £500 in the next 19 hours would result in being shot the following day at dawn by the firing squad of the Revolution Army (made up entirely of premenstrual women who only work one week in every four).

Come the Revolution, litter would be a thing of the past, our streets would be clean and any money made would finance good things like rescuing little furry animals and stuff.

My advice to...

Posted: 12-12-2007 09:22:43
...Gordon Brown is to settle the dispute with the Police force as soon as possible. It's very silly of him to allow himself to get into the argument. It can only go wrong for him. The amount theyre squabbling over is less than 40 million a year. How much over budget was Wembley Stadium? how much is the Olympics costsing, 9.5 billion, thats £9,500,000,000 and you can bet your life it will go way over budget, it's already doubled in the space of 18 months. We need our Police to be strong and in good form, not miserable with low morale. Despite the fact I've had a few run ins with the old bill, (not big, not clever) I do actually have respect for the work they have to do on our behalf. Give them the money Gordon.

Incredible...

Posted: 11-12-2007 09:07:30
...skies this morning. The sky was a brilliant bright orange on the way in to work this morning. Quite beautiful, very cold, but the combination of bright blue and bright orange was a wonder to look at. I don't belive there's a God, but if I did, I'd say she'd got that bit right.

What a thoroughly...

Posted: 10-12-2007 09:06:52
...dark and miserable morning it was at 0650. It was pitch black, pouring with rain and damp. Roll on the spring.....

My beautiful daughter has had her hair cropped even shorter and block dyed ash blonde, she looks even more beautiful...
cost a bloody fortune though, it ought to look good......

My middle boy Lewie had his feet mearured yesterday, he's a size 7 the same as me except he's only 13 years old........

Talking of the kids, they break up from school this week, two of them on Wednesday!, that's the 12th of the month... I thought Christmas was still a few weeks away....

I really do...

Posted: 07-12-2007 09:16:27
...enjoy my tennis with my mate Phil. It just gets funnier and funnier, I spend 50% of the match laughing. We haven't played for a week or so 'cause Phil has been away at his home in Spain, but we played last night. Sometimes I'm sure it looks like we know what we're doing, but for most of the time, we're plainly hopeless. It just makes me laugh out loud.
I must film it one week for you to laugh at.

Happy weekend everyone. Don't go into the city, it'll be full of people trying to buy presents..... buy online!

I've got....

Posted: 06-12-2007 14:35:53
.. a flashing Christmas tree on my desk. No-one, but no-one, can now accuse me of not getting into the spirit of things.

Cheers to..

Posted: 05-12-2007 09:48:31
...the complete toss pot that decided to put traffic lights at the top of the hill on the A34 as you approach junction 7 M6. The hassle we've had over the last year getting through the roadworks has been a nightmare, just last week the road works were completed, the traffic flowed through beautifully. 20 minutes saved on the journey in. The traffic lights have buggered it up completely, we're back to square one. Who decides these things? if anyone knows can you tell me, I want to write to him/her.

AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH.

I saw...

Posted: 04-12-2007 09:09:22
.. a child of about 12 years miss getting run over by about 4cm this morning at the place i drop my son off to catch his school bus. I watched every second of it from the moment he got out of the car in front of me, in slow motion I watched him kiss his mother and walk round the back of the car and into the road. I sensed he wasn't going to look so I blasted my horn in a vague attempt to stop him, it made him jump but more importantly, the on coming car started to slow down. He walked into the path of the car which was already skidding towards him. I swear it stopped within a few cm's. The driver was distraught, his mother was distraught, my heart was pumping. I realised in that instance how much I loved my son who was crossing the same road. It all happened in a few seconds, absolutely terrifying.

To get over this, I played my current favourite album very, very loud for the rest of my journey. What a start to the day.

I cooked...

Posted: 03-12-2007 09:17:04
.....slow roast lamb knuckles on Saturday. You're supposed to cook them for 12 hours, I started at about 1030 so we ate them some nine hours later. They were delicious, a doddle to make, served with olive oil mash. If you want the recipe just email me, I knicked it off James Martin. When I own my gastro pub, it'll be on the menu.

Yesterday I played tennis with my daughter. I can't tell you how fantastic it is to play tennis with your child, especially as in Georgias case, the child is turning into a really nice, funny, charming young adult...... I had one of those magical moments again..... she thrashed me too and took pleasure in it.

The Carpenters....

Posted: 30-11-2007 08:48:26
...now there's a band. What a voice she had, too bad she starved herself to death.

Well, today is the last day of November, it's all down hill now until next year, which is four weeks away. I'm going to try and not be grumpy about Christmas, I've avoided going to the shops so actually, I havent seen too much tinsel and stuff yet which is a good thing, I don't feel like it's been rammed down my throat.

I met Tony Robinson last night (Baldrick), what a lovely fellow, very gentle, very polite man, nice one.

Have fun this weekend, ladies wear trousers, there's a gale a comin....

A teddy bear called....

Posted: 29-11-2007 09:33:55
...... Mohammed. Can our Muslim brothers please stand up and condem the stupid happenings in Sudan at the moment. I have many friends called Mohammed. I'm sure their parents didn't think naming their child was an act in breach of Sharia law. Is it me or is religion pulling mankind back into the dark ages.... the next thing that'll happen is religion will be used to swing voting in America.... whoops, I think it already has hasn't it regarding abortion..... God help us.

I'll cheer up in a bit, Radio 4 got me going.

I was behind..

Posted: 28-11-2007 09:36:50
...a car this morning that indicated left, positioned itself to turn left, then turned right.... brilliant!

I did...

Posted: 27-11-2007 10:46:16
...absolutely nothing last night other than watch the programme all about the Queen which, I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed.

Gardening..

Posted: 26-11-2007 10:03:09
..is not something I do, but this weekend I enjoyed a spot of leaf clearing. A robin came and actually got really close, I'm told it was because I was clearing the leaves therefore revealing all the bugs and grubs for him to eat, smart little thing. I even walked the dog yesterday.... maybe it's time I ordered a flat cap.

Had a fun day yesterday with my two youngest boys, we came into town, looked at some bass guitar amps, enjoyed a coffee and some chocolate, got Lew's hair cut in a trendy salon place then met the girls for pizza, came home and watched Top Gear..... excellent.

Remember I had..

Posted: 23-11-2007 10:56:10
.. a nun chucker for my Birthday last year... well, a nun has just appeared on my desk, I wonder what she's been doing for the last twelve months....

We have our ISO9001:2000 audit today. We have the auditor going through our prossesses and policies. It's quite tense, we'll know if we've passed again later today...

Lots going on this weekend, mainly with the family, usual stuff, taxi service, wallet, cook, wash up, punter telly.

Have a good one..

Thanks for....

Posted: 22-11-2007 12:10:18
....nothing England FC. My dog could have caught that first Croatian goal, and he's got no hands. If you go into battle you need fighters, you need lions at the front, rhinos, bulls, elephants to blast their way into the enemy ..... not a bloody giraffe and a litter of door mice. Is anyone really suprised?

I tell you what though, they must have got wet in all that rain and mud. Do they get more money if they get wet and soil their tops? I bet there's a bloody clause in their contract "should it rain, or be a bit cold, the club agree to give you (the player) a bonus of £20,000 per match".... wouldn't suprise me.

Finally, Wembley should be ashamed of itself. The pitch was ridiculous.. all that money and no bloody roof??? It should have been in Birmingham... corrupt or what?

What a brilliant idea it...

Posted: 21-11-2007 10:49:01
...is to have our soldiers parade in Wembley stadium tonight before the match. It's a contemporary way to connect our armed forces with the general citizen for whom they die for. Marching bands do it all the time. So you can imagine how thoroughly annoyed/disapointed I was this morning listening to Radio 4. Some bloke was complaining because he was going to the match and didn't agree with the current mess in Iraq therefore objected to having soldiers in the stadium. Talk about missing the bloody point. Our soldiers don't pick what wars they have to fight, or which war they'd wouldn't mind being killed in, or which country they'd like their legs blown off, they go where they are told by the politicians who have control because control was given to them by the people that vote, people like him.

Come the revolution, that bloke will be one of the first we buy a one way ticket for. I know his name and where he lives.

This morning, I mostly be...

Posted: 20-11-2007 11:16:36
...stuck in traffic. My son asked me to drive him all the way to school so he could get some DT work done before 0900. We set off at 0740 and arrived at 0905. Sorry son. We'll try again on Thursday, might have to stay in a hotel in the centre of the city to give us a chance.

Watched American Gangster last night. Very good, had a couple of cliche moments but generally great acting although a little bit too long.

I had a ...

Posted: 19-11-2007 10:13:36
...very pleasant weekend not doing very much at all really. The footy was mildly entertaining on Saturday, it makes Wednesday's England match actually interesting. On a completely different note, I've decided I like birds. I was watching some Blue Tits and a little Wren feeding in the garden. It was fascinating, kept me occupied for ages. I might even buy some binoculars. Does that mean I'm turning into Bill Oddie. Now there's a frightening thought..... I've got the belly, maybe this is what happens as you get older....

I went to..

Posted: 16-11-2007 10:10:56
..London yesterday and couldn't help to take a few minutes at Euston Station to watch all the good folk going about their business of getting to work. I stood at the side of the terminal for a good ten minutes, watching, what looked like, a stream of ants getting off the trains and walking through the station. It all seemed so pointless and of course it would all happen in reverse some eight hours later.

The train was good though, it only took an hour and ten minutes from Birmingham to Euston.

I had a lovely Birthday, lots of gifts and nice words..... cheers to us all.

Happy weekend.

Court number 7...

Posted: 14-11-2007 11:03:38
...is where me and my mate played tennis last night. Court number 7 is the one where no-one can see you..... thank goodness for that, we were two tired old fat men playing crap tennis.... would have made you laugh though.

Been to the dentist today, he's got a new jet wash thingie for your gob, it's brilliant except the nurse's oral vacuum cleaner can't cope with the amount of jet wash so you end up getting soaked.....so soeaked, she has to keep wiping your face down as he does it, hilarious..... teeth feel very clean though..

Don't bother...

Posted: 13-11-2007 09:23:48
....marinading shin/chuck beef for 24 hours before you cook your beef bourguignon (like a few chef's tell you to do), there is really no point as long as you cook it as normal for about 3 hours. Hope you find this helpful.

Pakistan is in a bit of a state isn't it. It's getting more serious by the day. Not very nice really.

11 11 11

Posted: 12-11-2007 09:41:27
Prior to our tennis match scheduled for 1100 yesterday we stood and paid our respects. I was shocked to find a few people not respecting the silence. One woman actually took real offence at this and after the silence was over, began a proper rant at the member of staff who has been messing with the coffee machine whilst the room was deadly silent..... like the woman, I thought he was bang out of order and was grateful to her for berrating him otherwise I would have had to do it.....

I fell asleep watching Top Gear last night and woke up this morning.....I feel refreshed and sharp.

Tainted of the High...

Posted: 09-11-2007 09:53:58
.... is the name of the band, my boys are 1 and 3 left to right... oh to be 13.... I'm 47 next week.

Purity...

Posted: 08-11-2007 10:56:39
...beer was enjoyed last night as we embarked on a tour of the Purity Brewing Co. It was a very nice evening actually and to be perfectly honest, the beer they produce is really nice. It's quite complex brewing beer..... it makes you wonder how someone thought of it in the first place.... a bit like HP Sauce, if you get where I'm coming from....

Wear a poppy...

Posted: 06-11-2007 09:06:03
...with pride, remembering those men that give and gave their life so that others can go on living in a free society. Watching Panorama last night showed what modern day combat is like. It's not nice, no real difference to those images from World War I and it was a timely reminder to see those soldiers who had seen their comrades blown up by suicide bombers a day or so earlier, being as upset as you or I would be.

On a much, much, lighter note...... battle of a different type will commence today..... Sue's Conker Challenge!!

The gig....

Posted: 05-11-2007 11:16:24
.... went very well indeed.

Chicken gravy is a tricky thing to get right you know. The combination of quality juices from the bird with a little plain flour topped up with nothing but good chicken stock is, I think, difficult to do. The wife made it look simple yesterday, I was well impressed.

Gav's Birthday today, he gets more handsome every year. I wish I was him.

I love music...

Posted: 02-11-2007 09:18:43
...I do, and to prove it I'm going to admit I like the McFly single. There, I've said it.

I was listening to Bob Harris last night (he has a country show on Radio 2, Thursdays) and he played a fab track by a new artist to me called Keith Urban, the track is off an album called Shine and the track is called Once in a Lifetime...(in case you're interested).

I played Coldplay this morning....Christ they're miserable.... brilliant, but miserable....

Music Live this weekend, my two youngest boys (10 and 13) are playing their first gig on the Birminghamusic.com live stage Sunday morning... I can remember my first gig, I was 11, 1972, Goscote Sports and Social Club, Shakespeare Crescent, Leamore, Walsall...(it's was, and still is, the roughest street in a 100 mile radius) I can remember how nervous I was.... it's quite beautiful for me to watch my boys go through the same motions some 35 years later.... perhaps my Dad was feeling as nervous on my behalf in 1972 as I am in 2007...

Hundreds of kids at our house tonight. We are the meeting place for the trek to the school bonfire.... magic....(I love it really).

Finally, Sir Ian Blair should NOT resign. I can't even begin to rant about this. That's all I can say at the moment.

Have a safe weekend...

Is there a special place..

Posted: 01-11-2007 09:08:06
...... where bin men grow up and are educated. If you talk to anyone about their bin men they usually have the same negative comments to make. I was wondering therefore, maybe they all come from a special place...... we they are taught how not to think further than the end of their nose.

On a different note, is Chris Moyles really funny and talented or just a fat bloke from Leeds who got really lucky.... I flick through the stations on the way in and he makes me laugh sometimes and then other times, particularly when he's doing his toilet humour stuff, I wonder how he got on the radio in the first place...

Go on then.....

Posted: 30-10-2007 09:12:27
...sod off Lewis Hamilton. Pathetic. 12 months ago no-one knew who he was, now he can't go for a pee without some kid asking him for an autograph..... how terrible. Bad PR mistake Lewis.

Nigella is great, she makes me chuckle. Jalapenio or jalapeno? I bet she's right but I've never heard it pronounced JalapenIO..... made me chuckle.

Birmingham's great but...

Posted: 29-10-2007 09:51:08
... it lets itself down sometimes. On Friday night we went to the opera, which I have to say, was brilliant. But Birmingham being Birmingham meant that the idiots who run the NIA let the side down a bit. You'd think they'd make sure all the pay stations worked in the car park wouldn't you.... you'd think they'd put enought staff working in the bars so that during the intervals we mere customers could buy a drink..... you'd think they'd pay attention to the temperature in the building, I reckon it went over 30 degrees at one point, I saw a bloke who looked dead to me being wheeled out (I jest not)..... you'd think they'd make provision for cars leaving the car park wouldn't you, instead of making everyone sit still for 30 minutes...

Brilliant Opera, well done the the Birmingham Opera company..... Crap venue.

I tell you..

Posted: 23-10-2007 10:28:22
...my wife cooked some ox tail on Sunday. Pot roasted it in beer for about 4 hours then left it overnight. Cooked it again yesterday as a hot pot, you know with carrots, potatoe, onion thyme, etc. I ate so much I felt sick. It was stunning. I have a stinking cold and it helped relieve it. The magic of quality English pot roasts...

Talking of food, I'm off to see my favourite chef tomorrow, Frances Atkins....lucky me...

Well well well...

Posted: 22-10-2007 10:45:27
......we have a woman working here full time. Kim Bunn is our new Marketing Manager. Good luck to her I say, working here with this bunch of rabble.... blimey.... I feel sorry for her already...

Wasn't the weather beautiful this weekend.... stunning...

Paris....

Posted: 19-10-2007 09:10:41
....no not the rugby, my daughter has gone there today for a few days. What a great time to be in Paris, it'll be vibey.

Beautiful weather here again today, very cold but autumn skys, low sun. It all helps the traffic flow better......

I hope England do well, it's a bigger task to beat SA than France. Beating France however was an amazing achievement so for me, I'll be watching the match with national pride already in the bag so to speak. Don't be too upset if we lose, the boys have done brilliantly..... again.

Good luck also to Lewis Hamilton..... that one's a bit tricky to call... if he stays on the track he'll be ok I should think....

Have a good weekend.

Oh no Mr Allen...

Posted: 18-10-2007 12:14:19
...you can't just have one tyre, you'll need four because the one you punctured is unrepairable and we don't recommend just replacing one tyre on the front and there's only.3 of a mill left on the back ones before Merc recommend you change them being rear wheel drive and all the horse power. That'll be a thousand pounds Mr Allen....... magic.

This is all true...

Posted: 17-10-2007 09:49:10
...last night it took me nearly 4 hours to get home, there was a major problem getting out of the city, but of course only on the route I was taking.....when we eventually got moving, we entered a massive storm, it poured down...then I got a puncture..... when I got home I opened the front door, in the rain, and the dog ran off....when I eventually got him (and nearly killed him) I went into the kitchen to cook something, I opened the oven door and it fell off....... after that, I figured I ought to quickly get out of harms way and went straight to bed. Not a great night.

Oh my goodness...

Posted: 15-10-2007 09:45:47
...I don't need to say anything about the rugby do I? ...

On a completely different tip, I've been wearing the same aftershave now for a few years. It's a lovely clean smell (all my girlfriends love it [in my dreams]) ...anyways....it's got to go. Have you seen or heard about the event Fashion Rocks? It's a Princess Trust initiative linking music with designer brands.....guess what tosspot band has been linked with my aftershave brand?............RAZORSHITE. Johnny Titface Borrell was on the telly yesterday talking about it, I nearly smashed the TV up, fortunately one of the kids spotted it and flicked the channel. Anyways.......... I've chucked all my aftershave in the bin where it belongs. New smell here I come.

On another different tip, I'm off to see the oncologist again this afternoon for Sarah's 9 week check up. Always a scary event, but very worthwhile. All part of life's yo yo.

I really..

Posted: 12-10-2007 09:48:20
..enjoyed my Tennis last night. My mate Phil makes me laugh out loud, he's so funny without realising it. He's such a good person too. I so enjoy sitting with a beer and a packet of quavers after our game putting the world to right whilst watching all the people in the gym do their thing (which to be honest, is a funny thing to watch). Grown men rolling on the floor with a big blue ball thing... or the powerlifting blokes who walk around with big belts on pulled too tight.... or the women who, Im sure, 20 years ago had the body they think they still have (they must think that or they wouldn't wear lycra) ....hilarious....

I'm listening to a new band at the moment, two super talented writers, Joe Short and James Oliver....brilliant intelligent witty emotional stuff... it's like being on a rollercoaster that can move in every direction, one minute you're laughing, the next you're crying and then you're having a nervous breakdown... fab stuff...

Those that know me know I'm not mad about the French. I have issues that go back to the second world war and their very, very short memory. I've always said that for most of the last 400 years we've been at war with France....why stop? Anyway, you can imagine how fired up I am about the rugby, I'm shaking as I write this, that's how bad it is.....cmon England......

Have a nice weekend.

I....

Posted: 10-10-2007 09:26:59
...was thinking about this blog on the miserable drive into work this morning. I was thinking it's pretty tame really, I tell you about food and stuff but I rarely say what I'm really thinking. To make it really effective I kind of thought it should be more meaty, opinionated, what's on my mind, politics etc etc...... I havent exactly decided I'm going to do that yet, I'm just thinking about it.. which, ironically, is, I guess, me actually starting to do it...(did you see what I did then?).....

Magic moments..

Posted: 08-10-2007 09:03:07
..don't happen that often, I had one yesterday, sitting eating lunch with my three younger kids. They were on form, making each other laugh out loud, me included. It occurred to me how fantastic the moment was, it was a magical moment.

The day before was full of excitement, the rugby was just fabulous....and now we get to play France (Ed's predictions are rubbish) which, some might say, will be even more passionate than playin the Aussies.

This morning felt like Autumn was really here, slightly dark, quite cold and damp, very Monday morning. My son, who I drop off at the bus stop, didn't fancy it at all today, he'd got the Monday morning blues quite bad.....

What a ....

Posted: 05-10-2007 10:02:44
...beautiful morning it is here in the Midlands. The sun is shining, it's quite cold and everyone is in a pleasant mood. I love Birmingham I do.

More gigs this weekend, watching some amateur rugby with my daughter and her mates ( I think they fancy the boys, not the rugby) and then gonna watch England smash Australia in the proper rugby. Tomorrow will end with dinner with some family friends whilst the kids go see Fightstar (band).

Talking of food, I'm starving again. Off to get something, have a good weekend.

What on earth...

Posted: 02-10-2007 13:07:54
.....is the world coming to? eh? Go-on answer me that someone.

Another new...

Posted: 01-10-2007 10:17:07
...boy starts today. Stephen is working in the studio with David, there's bloody hundreds of us......

Burma...

Posted: 28-09-2007 11:13:18
..isn't the place to be right now. I hope those lovely Monks don't get slaughtered.... Humans....we aren't very nice are we....as I said, the sooner we're wiped off the face of the earth the better, increase that carbon footprint...cmon....

Madina Lake at the Academy tonight, I'm not into the band you understand, I'm just on taxi service for the kids.....now they have pocket money, maybe I should charge them....now there's a thought....

We had a...

Posted: 27-09-2007 12:13:11
...lovely Balti last night with the lads. Unfortunately Mark couldn't make it and Matt was poorly. We missed them, but still had a fabulous time.

Not sure if you know this but, as a rule, David doesn't say much and last night was no exception, the only difference was he'd ordered the hottest curry known to man, so instead of sitting quietly, he sat quietly sweating....quite literally the sweat was dripping from his head.... he ate it all though..... respect to the chap.

David Bowie...

Posted: 26-09-2007 15:08:21
..is a God. I know I've said it before but I just thought I'd mention it again.

I am...

Posted: 25-09-2007 12:19:33
...starving.....what on earth is the matter with me...I'm constantly hungry at the moment...

Tennis tonight.... magic.

I cooked a

Posted: 24-09-2007 09:20:14
...pork roast yesterday. The crackling was perfect, the kids gobbled it up in seconds.

I'm playing tennis again after a few weeks off whilst my mate was on holiday. I love tennis, it's such a great laugh, I wish I'd started playing when I was a kid.

Wasn't it a miserable start to the week this morning, dark, raining...traffic wasn't too bad though, I thought it was going to be terrible due to the weather....

I drove my son..

Posted: 21-09-2007 09:08:18
...into school this morning, switching the radio from station to station we flicked to Radio 1 to hear what sounded like a social club act covering An Englishman in New York (Sting)... I thought it was a joke.... .......turns out it was Razorlight....Razorlight my arse....Razorshite.....

My daughter asked if she could borrow my debit card last night.... that's a first and like the fool I am I let her have it.... I came into work and by some strange coincidence I received an order confirmation for a Fightstar gig in October. Magic.

Happy weekend.

What's the hottest place in the jungle?

Posted: 19-09-2007 15:41:33
under the gorilla.

Blakfish...

Posted: 18-09-2007 16:56:19
...really do rock. Great band. Fun to watch. Go see them.

I joined...

Posted: 17-09-2007 12:28:12
...the boys on Saturday for the beer fest thing. I have to say, that real ale stuff takes a bit of getting used to.. it all tastes of farmyard animals to me.... good fun though...

I had to go into the shed on Sunday to get something, remember the spider named Steven? well, he's been busy. His wife and four kids have moved in.... it's terrifying.... I'm sure they're not just eating flys, they're not a normal size....

My wife...

Posted: 14-09-2007 15:44:44
...just had an emergency CT Brain scan. Not nice, scared the shite outta me.... everything is fine. Therefore, I'm gonna enjoy this weekend. Life is for living you know, I just had a gentle reminder.

See you Monday.

Marco Pierre White...

Posted: 12-09-2007 09:29:48
..is fantastic.

I don't read books really (although funny enough, I'm actually reading one at the moment called The Tipping Point) but there's a book that my wife bought me a year or so ago that I actually couldn't stop reading, I think I read it in four days which is a miracle for me. It was Marco Pierre White's autobiography. It was brilliant, he was brilliant and although I'm struggling to understand why a genius of his proportion is having anything to do with a cheesy TV show, I'm loving every second of it. I love everything he says, everything he does, and I bet you, he's a fabulous friend to those close to him. I think he shows how shallow and foul mouthed someone like Ramsey is. Actually, there's an interesting piece in the book about Ramsey, (Pierre White taught him) which shows Ramsey to be the man I think he is, not the man you see on the telly.......

Lovely...

Posted: 10-09-2007 10:13:51
...weekend that was. Liz and Jeremy came down, Liz went out with my wife and I stayed at home with Jem and watched the cricket with beer and curry. Magic.

I'm fat again, need to address it.

I despair at...

Posted: 07-09-2007 11:51:08
... the lack of manners shown by nearly everyone driving into work. People are really nasty to each other, I've learned to keep out of it all but there are incidents all over the place. Having a council that decides to start yet more pointless road works the day after all the schools go back doesn't help. Do you reckon they sit in planning meetings with a chart of when it will inconvenience everyone the most on the wall...mmmm yes, lets close the main Road into Handsworth from Hamstead on September 6th at 0800... brilliant councillor, have another busicuit... more tea?

The cricket will be great tomorrow, I think India have the momentum, it'll be fabulous though. In the footy, England play against Israel, a country whos land probably covers the same square footage as all the Range Rovers owned by Premiership footballers.... we'll still probably lose. I'm a bit bored with footy at the moment....... oh, and there's the rugby world cup...excellent.

Have a nice weekend, see you next week.

It's great to be...

Posted: 05-09-2007 15:41:57
...back. No, honestly it is.

Back at work but...

Posted: 01-09-2007 10:37:47
...not in the office. I'm in Dublin with Shaun, we'll be back on Wednesday. Had a fantastic break, I'm well up for work and am looking forward to getting started. I feel quite motivated, fancy shakin things up a bit.....

It's that...

Posted: 17-08-2007 10:47:33
...time again when I have to go on holiday.... I'm away for a few weeks and the off to Ireland with Shaun on some business, so I won't be back until September 5th. September 5th is also the day most schools go back so, my first day back will be a baptism of fire. Up at 0650, kids, drop offs, traffic, road rage, nazi saluting women drivers...can't wait.

Tara 'til then.

I've.....

Posted: 16-08-2007 10:24:30
...done my painting. Well, my daughter has done it for me....

I had...

Posted: 13-08-2007 13:58:53
...a lovely weekend with my boys, beer, curry, football and loud music everywhere. Tonight though, we'll have to rebuild the house as the gaffa and her mini-me arrive back at 9pm. I think we're in serious shite (trouble) though cause all the plants look seriously ill in the garden, I think we were supposed water them........ oh dear.

I don't necessarily like....

Posted: 10-08-2007 11:31:30
...Rick Stein, he's a bit smarmy but, I'm enjoying his Mediteranian series on telly. Did you see those fantastic pasta dishes he was cooking last night..... I'm gonna be trying those this evening, popping off to Rackhams food store (one of my favourite places) in a bit to buy some quality pancetta and cheese.

It's a lovely day today apart from a tax bill I've just had. Enjoy your weekend.

My mate Phil..

Posted: 08-08-2007 10:31:35
... beat me at tennis last night 3-6 6-2 4-6 it was a great game but my goodness I can't half feel it this morning. We played Sunday morning but it was a quick match and we were both hungover so it was, well, pathetic. Last night was proper, I think it might have even looked alright if you were watchin (at times at least). My legs are as stiff as boards and my chest on my right hand side is aching... (maybe it's a heart attack)....... playing again Thursday...

Very nice...

Posted: 06-08-2007 10:29:15
...weekend that was. Lunch at the Saunders house, which is always a treat because Pam is such a quality cook and Steve is probably the nicest, most genuine, man in the world.

Yesterday I went with Johnny Rotten to drumfest;

Karl was stunning and it was great to see so many old faces from the past. The only negative was that it was the hottest day of the year, it was boiling. Karl is my favourite drummer in the world but I saw a new guy called Benny Greb who was amazing too..... crickey they are so, so good.

On a different note, I don't like spiders and my wife has absolutely no fear of them. She's been keeping one in the shed, I'm sure she's been feeding it dog food or something, she showed me it on Saturday morning. I'm not joking, it was the size of my hand, he lives in the shed like the king of the castle with a huge web full of dead flies, his name is Steven. I'm not happy.

I recently...

Posted: 03-08-2007 13:01:52
...had a read of a very witty book of quotes from English actors. This one made me laugh out loud, it was said by the late Kenneth Williams and he's talking about sexual innuendos within scripts. He said; "personally, I hate them (innuendos) and whenever I see one in a script I whip it out immediately"..... I'm chuckling as I write this.

Well, the weather is beautiful, has been all week, dunno what all the fuss was about. The weekend's here already, taking my youngest drummer son to see his idol, Karl Brazil, at a drum clinic on Sunday. Imagine, 200 drummers in one room, jesus...... Drummer joke for you: How do you know when the drum riser is level? Dribble runs from both sides of the drummers mouth... tara

Are you...

Posted: 01-08-2007 09:24:13
...watching and listening to the brilliant series on Radio 4 and BBC 2 all about the creation of Pakistan in 1947. Both shows are taking us on a journey through India and Pakistan showing us how the places are changing. The Radio show is quite serious and has been looking at the effects of partition (check out the repeat on Radio 4 tonight at 2130) but last nights TV show showed us a less than stereo-typical insight to the muslim community in one part of Pakistan... we need more of this please Mr BBC.

well...

Posted: 31-07-2007 10:40:53
...I had a lovely time away even though most days were over 40 degrees. Certainly not sunbathing weather, everyone got a little burned which rarely happens.

Apparently the weather has been bad here, I think you're all winding me up, the weathers been lovely ever since I got back....

I'm back...

Posted: 30-07-2007 12:29:24
...but too busy to do this! Catch you later.

I'm always..

Posted: 13-07-2007 09:43:40
...suprised to find out that people actually read these blogs. Just yesterday, I spoke to many people who knew what I'd been up to before I got round to telling them..... bit alarming really....

I'm so sorry to say the weather where I'm going tomorrow is currently 37C with brilliant blue skies forcast until November. It was 42C one day last week..... like I said I'm sorry..... and whilst I'm talking about holidays, I can't get a kennel for my dog August 19th to 29th.... does anyone want a dog for this period? he's lovely, Here he is .... I'm not joking either... please someone help me, I'll pay you...you can live in my house, you can drive my car...somebody help me...

Anyways, that's it for a few weeks. Summer hols with the kids is calling; sun, sea, beach, paella, san miguel and sea fishing sandwiched between smelly bacteria ridden people at the airports....... tara for a bit.

Frances Adkins...

Posted: 12-07-2007 09:08:06
...really is a genius. I think the boys in the office appreciate the skill and expertise that makes a michelin starred chef. As you might have read, the boys joined me Mark and Shaun (who were working, honest... check out the new website in about 6 weeks from now) at the Yorke Arms in North Yorkshire for an day away, team building and all that new age nonsense. It was Frances and next in line Roger who actually cooked for us and put a menu together in our honour (see Marks blog). Secretly though, I think she was trying to kill us...so, so much wonderful food.

It was great for us all, the entertainment levels were very high, leading the pack was Richard and Alex who had us all in tears of laughter for quite a few hours. At one point during dinner, I thought I was having a heart attack I was laughing so much.....I love my team, what a lovely bunch of people we have here, top men. If you spent some time with them, you'd understand.

2 days to go before Im lying on a beach. Lots of work to do today and tomorrow.... must get on with it....

Well...

Posted: 06-07-2007 09:59:01
...it's still raining. How bloody miserable is it? The outlook looks good though, not the weather you understand, just the fact Im off to my favourite kitchen for a few days starting Sunday. Me and the boys are off to the Yorke Arms to do some filming and photos and for a team meeting on Tuesday. I'll be back Wednesday afternoon.

Also, can you believe the kids break up next week for the summer holidays, before you can say July, it'll be August, then September then Christmas......

Happy weekend.

I went to...

Posted: 04-07-2007 09:19:34
..Symphony Hall Birmingham last night to watch my son perform. He was brilliant, the orchestra was brilliant, made up of kids from King Edwards school for boy mixed with the school for girls.... some serious musicians they have... stunning really, not yer average school choir... I mean the orchestra is a full orchestra, kettle drums, harp, bassoons, cellos, etc etc.... bloody brilliant...

Trust....

Posted: 03-07-2007 09:51:05
...is, in my opinion, one of the true gifts of life and a vital part of society, particularly multicultural societies. To trust someone is about the best thing you can do for them.

We all (I think), have had a natural trust for Doctors, pillars of society... when they qualify they declare they'll abide by the Hippocratic Oath. The oath was written by Hippocrates himself, the Greek physician, as a kind of ethical rule book for doctors. A key part of the oath says "I will never do harm."

I wonder if the Doctor who was in the Jeep that tried to blow up and kill as many people as possible at Glasgow airport signed the oath?..... trust not...... come to think of it... wonder if any of the other arrested doctors signed up......

Once trust between people breaks down, there's nothing left but conflict.

I'll cheer up tomorrow honest.

Car bombs...

Posted: 02-07-2007 10:05:09
...are crap. There are around 60 million people in this country, most of which wouldn't wish any harm on anyone else..... but then there are a few, probably a very small percentage of one percent of the total, who actually want to kill you...... yes you. It's not great. I fear Birmingham might be on their agenda so be smart everyone.

Big thanks...

Posted: 29-06-2007 10:48:36
...and respect to our friends at Tennis For Free, I had a fabulous day at Wimbledon yesterday, saw Federer, Henman, Williams, Nadal and lots of others.....bloody hell they're all good... me and my mate reckon we wouldn't even get a single ball back, let alone get a point.... including the women!

I drank a little too much Champagne, so my head is a tiny bit sore this morning. I am looking forward to a calm weekend.

Todays quote, "death is a wake up call." I like that one.

Lucky me..

Posted: 27-06-2007 09:38:54
..I'm going to Wimbledon tomorrow as a guest of the lovely people at the LTA and Tennis For Free. I'm taking my tennis buddy Phil with me, it's gonna be great, rain won't dampen the pleasure.

I went...

Posted: 25-06-2007 09:15:45
...to watch an ameteur version of A Comedy of Errors at the weekend. It was set outdoors in the grounds of a big house in Lichfield. We all sat on straw bales whilst the actors played out the very funny Shakespeare play literally a few feet away from us. My Daughter's mate had a part in the play. In short, it was brilliant, the weather held up and the play was very, very funny. I'm amazed how the actors remember all their lines, Shakespeare makes it really hard I think...... well done to all of them.

The rain...

Posted: 22-06-2007 09:48:26
...in Spain doesn't really exist, but the rain in Glastonbury ..... I saw a news report from there this morning... it's gonna be a muddy one again...

We're currently playing The Osmonds greatest hits.... it's brilliant, I love it especially "Let Me In" what a great smiley tune... big teeth an all that.... the songs are great songs, intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, middle 8, key change, chorus , out. No wonder they've been used a million times....genius

Todays quote and one for the weekend " Fill what's empty, empty what's full and scratch where it itches."

Have a good weekend.

Why doesn't...

Posted: 20-06-2007 10:00:16
..Gordon Ramsey swear in front of his kids? I think he's a fantastic chef, probably a great bloke but why oh why does he have such a foul gob. I could give him more respect if he swore in front of his own kids cause he swears in front of mine..... tosser... (ho ho).

This is, so far, my favourite quote from my new book... "Life is there to be lived, that's all there is to it." it was written by Eleanor Roosevelt (wife of the President) and I think it's spot on.

Good luck to our Matt who's off to Glastonbury later. He's taking a whole keg of his favourite ale (I'm not sure he's calculated actually how much it's going to weigh, bearing in mind he'll have at least a mile to walk with all his kit).... good luck to him and Jen.

I'm Sorry...

Posted: 19-06-2007 09:05:54
...I haven't a Clue. I said it before but it really is genius comedy. Monday's radio 4 1830 in case you've never listened to it.

Todays quote " He who is of a calm and happy nature will not feel the burden of age, but to him who is of an opposite disposition, youth and age are equally a burden."

I want..... my own record label.

Fathers...

Posted: 18-06-2007 09:57:48
..Day was cool, I got some lovely pressies including a new dressing gown, some gay slippers, and a book of amusing quotes such as " age doesn't matter unless you are a cheese."

The middle boy survived the caving trip. He's got the bug, now he wants to start getting some qualifications in it........ I'm not at all comfortable with it but won't stop him.

My wife and the eldest boy have gone away to get some sun in a foreign land so I'm baby sitting all week. I've even had to bring the dog into the office for a day, should be fun.

It's still raining, must be Glastonbury week.

Try and imagine...

Posted: 15-06-2007 08:52:15
...living on the Gaza Strip right now. It must be hell, muslim killing muslim, arab killing arab. People are trying to bring up their kids and lead normal lives.... doesn't bear thinking about unfortunately. Humans love to hate. Like I've said before, global warming is a good thing cause it'll eventually wipe us off the bloody planet.

My middle boy is caving this weekend, I'm a little concerned due to the amount of rain we've had. I have to put my faith in the school I guess.

We have a VAT inspection here at the office today, a perfect way to end the week. If he's a miserable git, I'm throwing him out.....

Kids with Cancer...

Posted: 13-06-2007 17:31:00
....on telly last night. Two kids with Leukaemia. One diagnosed on a Wednesday was dead by the following Tuesday. The other had a bone marrow transplant and got well. Kids, just kids, amazing stuff, my pathetic complaining about being overstretched at tennis was just that, pathetic. I'm not very tolerant today of small stuff.

The programme has reminded me of two things. One to thank again all the people who supported us in our Cure Leukaemia Art Auction from which I think the total given to the charity is around 17k and two, how bloody lucky me and my kids are to still have my wife and their mother around at this time, so many years after her very serious and incurable cancer diagnosis. Thank goodness for the talented oncologists out there fighting cancer in whatever form it appears.

I really felt...

Posted: 12-06-2007 09:00:26
...wierd yesterday, like I'd been run over or something.... went home, went to bed at 7.30pm asleep by 8pm had crazy dreams, loads of them, woke up at 0650 this morning feeling much better..... quite strange......

My legs...

Posted: 11-06-2007 09:26:19
...really ache. I played too much tennis this weekend. The final bit was an hours intense training with a coach. I thought I was going to die and realised I don't want to die on the tennis court, on the beach yes, but not in a David Lloyd shed. I'm completely knackered, even sitting down is painful.

George, my beautiful daughter, passed her bronze Duke of Edinburgh award this weekend, nice work.

Finally, I cooked my last Sunday roast for a few months. It's time to eat lighter through the summer months.....

You could...

Posted: 08-06-2007 09:12:16
...put money on the fact that because I couldn't get Glastonbury tickets this year, it WONT rain. I hope it is sunny for all the festivals this year, it all kicks off this weekend.... good luck to Sam and his band Blakfish.

This weekend I mostly be......... playin tennis.

I...

Posted: 07-06-2007 09:35:13
..enjoyed the football. It doesn't matter who the opposition was, it just makes a nice change to see England play like they want to win and then win.

My youngest son has started calling me and his much older brother "slaphead." Should I ignore him or give him a slap around the back of his legs?

Our Sam...

Posted: 06-06-2007 10:28:08
....is playing the Download festival this weekend. How great is that, he's asked if he can have Monday off. Being at the forefront of quality HR implimentation and maintenance, I've said yes, as long as he makes up the time.

It's nice being nice.

I lied..

Posted: 04-06-2007 14:35:45
..I have a few minutes now....

Had a good week last week. Killed/caught nothing at all, the weather made sure of that.

I've come back to a busy office, air conditioning being fitted (just in the nick of time I reckon), studio is busy and the clever people at the other end of the office (the geeky types) are all heads down and I can hear the happy sound of keyboards being gently tapped (always a good sign).

I'm fat again due to the excesses of enjoying myself. I'm happily on the wagon again, feels good.

I'm back but...

Posted: 04-06-2007 11:56:37
...am too busy to write this. I'll try and catch up tomorrow or later today...

Try this....

Posted: 25-05-2007 08:52:10
..... when dirving to work in the morning, let as many women in as you can. When the opportunity to let a women pull out in front of you arrives do so, I bet she gives you a nazi salute. I've been researching it for years and I'm telling you it works, it'll make you chuckle... try it....

As I said earlier this week, I'm off with my boys next week to shoot and fish. See you after half term.

Virtual Wii...

Posted: 24-05-2007 11:40:36
...is the future.

Anyways, as I'm currently into "Sorry I Haven't a Clue" mode, Mark kindly pointed out that they are coming to Birmingham to record a few episodes in September and oh yes, I have tickets.... no messin.....nice one Mark.

My sons band is called "Tainted of the High"......... this week. It'll change next week, last week they we're called "Slave Girl".... I think pubity is kickin in....

Why...

Posted: 23-05-2007 08:55:45
...does, and I've said this before, the traffic flow better when it's sunny......

Listened to my new "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" cd this morning, it's the funniest thing..... I must look like a right nutter laughing out loud in my car on my own.....

Going shooting and fishing next week, kill and eat policy, fabulous. My boys are sleeping under the stars...... all men are welcome until Monday when the girls show up....

If you are a ...

Posted: 22-05-2007 09:19:11
...recruitment agency, can you not call us please. Thanks.

I'm gonna....

Posted: 18-05-2007 09:24:49
.....really relax this weekend. Not going to do much at all, enjoys yours whatever you are doing.

work..work...

Posted: 17-05-2007 10:33:05
....bloody work, that's all there is to it......and then more work...

Isn't the....

Posted: 14-05-2007 09:53:27
....rain boring.

Nice weekend was had by all. It's Lew's birthday today so we're celebrating with a birthday dinner later, fillet steak served with olive pasta, champagne and birthday cake!

It's all....

Posted: 11-05-2007 09:11:13
...happening at once. My Daughter has her first Duke of Edinburgh expedition today and tomorrow. She has to walk 13 miles with full ruck sack and then camp out WITHOUT her ipod, mobile phone, computer or hair straighteners... should be interesting....actually, she's harder than all of us put together, it'll be a breeze for her...

My little boy has two cricket matches, both early on Sat and Sun so there goes my lie in, he also has four mates coming round tonight for a Wii championship......

My middle boy has band practice tomorrow morning then five of his mates are staying over for his Birthday ....

My eldest is probably doing what nature intended....and me and my wife have our dear friends Pam and Steve coming over for Sunday lunch, we haven't seen them for ages and they are probably the nicest family in the world so we're looking forward to that...

Other than that, not much goin on really....

My middle...

Posted: 10-05-2007 09:34:21
...boy is a teenager this weekend. My oh my, how time flys when you're having fun.... only seems like thirteen years ago he was fighting for his life with blood incompatablity (slight exaggeration) to his mother (he has my blood they found out after two weeks)....... funny that...

Wii, fore ribs and fatties...

Posted: 08-05-2007 09:59:26
...that was my weekend in a nutshell. Saturday we purchased a Wii which was much enjoyed all weekend. Sunday, I cooked a four week old piece of fore rib beef for thirteen people. It was very, very moist and scrumptious but I'm going to cook it for a tad longer next time....Monday I took the kids to see Spiderman 3. Great film but the place was full of IIB's. Also, I estimated that at least 60% of the people going into the film (and it was packed) was overweight and almost all of them were carrying these buckets of popcorn and a drink the size of a small child. The film was terrific, funny, action packed and quite romantic all at the same time.... got home at about 8pm only to find auntie Vicky had cooked me a curry....bliss..... in bed by 10pm, watched the news, had a good sleep and hey presto here I am.....

Blimey....

Posted: 04-05-2007 09:03:38
...my biggest son is 23 today. When I was 23 I'd already been married a year to the wrong woman......my boy is smart...

IIB = Patricia Hewitt.

IIB (ignorant, inconsiderate bastard)

Posted: 02-05-2007 09:25:44
Right. Come the revolution, some people are in for it. Last night, I played tennis, the club has space for many cars but is a busy car park. I saw one guy park his car on the GRASS outside of the car park, just so he could avoid having to go through the gate and save himself 2 minutes of his miserable life. He is an IIB (it was deemed in the Allen household last night that the word bastard, is acceptable, in fact because of this, the kids had a blast shouting it out). Then I drove around the corner to find a Bentley parked directly over 2 spaces. Ignorant, inconsiderate bastard. Why on earth does the IIB who owns the Bentley think he can deny someone else a car space because he has a nice shiny car.

Jose Mourinho (IIB) I used to have respect for this guy until last night when he showed zero humility when interviewed after the match. The Chelsea cheats were beat, simple as that, he failed to acknowledge it. Poor show I say.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm in a great mood, things are good, I just can't bear those IIB's out there. This whole planet would benefit from a huge dose of humility.

The sun..

Posted: 01-05-2007 11:10:04
..is out today and it's lovely. I feel good today, don't know why, just do. I'm very calm.......

Great evening of footy tonight, massive Liverpool v Chelsea game... come on Liverpool....!!!

Up the...

Posted: 30-04-2007 10:05:33
.....Blues....brilliant!!

I just found out...

Posted: 27-04-2007 09:57:03
...that a distant friend of ours, his wife in fact, has a form of Leukaemia and she's been really poorly, really poorly.... incurable. However, there's a drug called Velcade which costs 20k per year that will increase her life expectancy. This is a good family, kids, pay their tax on time, he employs people etc etc. She was a nurse all her life, treating and looking after the sick. Guess what, their local health authority won't pay for the drug. I've never met this woman, but understanding what cancer can do to a family, I'm in a rage. I want to swear but I can't (cause my kids read this). To help raise the money and to help the charity concerned with this form of leukaemia, the sons are having to run a marathon and get sponsored. It's SHITE! I wonder if Patricia Hewitt developed a terminal disease, would her local authority overule the prescription of a life enhancing drug?

And whilst I'm at it, how stupid is it to try to ban children enjoying a glass of wine with their meal. How much money has been spent on coming up with this ridiculous idea (they could have better spent it on the drug for the lady above). If you want to stop kids binge drinking, teach them how to drink, don't say to them you can't drink. Wine, in my opinion, is a fundemental part of a meal and to be honest, there's probably thousands of kids who would benefit more from the wonderful ritual of sitting down to a Sunday dinner with family and friends AND a glass of wine, than having a takeaway sitting on their laps watching telly WITHOUT a glass of wine.... know what I mean? Do goody toss pots.....Don't start me..... bring on the revolution...

Happy weekend everyone (I'm fine, really).

Did you hear...

Posted: 26-04-2007 12:13:31
.....the woman spokesperson from the Church of England on Radio 4 this morning attempting to defend the FACT that one particular kiddie fiddling vicar was protected by his Bishop AND the church itself during the 80's and 90's. Disgraceful. Shameful. Disgusting. Outrageous. I hope she has a few years of not sleeping properly at night.

The latest Clarissa Dickson Wright book has just arrived from lovely Amazon called "Sunday Roast" it looks fantastic. Brutal and beautiful .......on page 64 a whole cooked suckling pig...... must get one on the way home......

eh?.....

Posted: 25-04-2007 09:26:47
....anyway, I purchased Q magazine last week only to find Johnny Borrell (Razorshite) adorning the front cover. Despite this, I did actually purchase it and thought I'd read the lengthy interview in an unbiased way.

Confirmation indeed = he's a dick and the band are definately shite.

Speak up a bit....

Posted: 24-04-2007 11:06:51
...... I can't hear you. I went see Trivium last night, I'm bloody deaf now......pardon...

Went to Spain, it rained every day, sun came out as I got on the plane to come back, and got off the plane to more rain, it obviously followed me...

Auction tonight...

Posted: 17-04-2007 13:50:47
....beach tomorrow.....I love you all......

I went..

Posted: 16-04-2007 12:38:36
..to see Madeleine Peyroux last night. She was brilliant. Had a fabulous band, very cool.

Congrats to Ed and Linz and Zach, I came last in the sweepstake although I reckon Mrs Priestnall got her dates wrong in the first place, I reckon she was 2 weeks out, therefore the baby was actually due on 1st April, which would have made me the winner.....

My boy has his first cricket match of the season today, looking forward to that later, kick off is at 1800.

I've got a cold and it's boring.

That's all for today folks, remember you can all come for a lunchtime drink at the art auction tomorrow from 1200...

Countdown...

Posted: 13-04-2007 14:57:58
..to the 2007 Cure Leukaemia Art Auction. It's taking place next week 17th April. If I haven't already invited you, let me know and I'll arrange for your ticket to be sent out... more details at www.claa2007.com

The sun...

Posted: 11-04-2007 10:04:40
...is shining today and there was almost zero traffic on the way in. It's a good start to the day when the sun wakes you up.

Had a lovely break, Tom is still alive having on Saturday been around Donnington with his racing driver mate, then jumping out of a plane on Sunday. Nice work if you can get it.... what a life...

Did you see the football last night? My goodness, I don't normally watch Man Utd but they were just brilliant, a joy to watch..... football at it's best, even the players weren't diving and faking and the ref hardly had to get involved..... very entertaining.....

Busy day ahead, better get on with it....

Happy...

Posted: 05-04-2007 10:34:46
..Easter everyone. Even though it's a religious festival we will celebrate with eggs and I'll be cooking a rabbit or two. My kids are allowed one chocolate egg each, the rest I chuck in the bin. Have you looked at the sell by date on an Easter egg? have a look, most will be very old, maybe a year.....

Tom is jumping out of a plane, the weather should be good so I reckon it'll happen....... never right.....

Lewis is coming back from America, he's havin a ball, even if the yanks say "you're welcome" after absolutely anything you say to them....

have a good weekend whatever you are doin, as I said, the weather should be glorious... see you Wednesday.

I can't stand....

Posted: 03-04-2007 16:49:21
.....Razorlight. They're shite. There, I've said it.

North Yorkshire...

Posted: 02-04-2007 10:15:31
...is beautiful. I'd like to live there.

Had a smashing weekend, great birthday party, my beautiful daughter came home an inch taller and full of funny stories. Great to have her back. She immediately stitched me up for £175 flight to Spain in the summer....I missed being robbed whilst she was away....

No luck for us this time with Glastonbury tickets, just couldn't get through....never mind.

At last..

Posted: 29-03-2007 09:54:07
.... she checked in, she was in a night club at the time......magic....

My middle boy is off to America tonight, he's going to Utah..... my school trips were to Clacton and Great Yarmouth....

I'm off to the wonderful Yorkshire Dales tomorrow for a 40th Birthday dinner, looking forward to that, back Saturday then in the office wilt all my remaining children first thing Sunday morning to try and get our Glastonbury tickets.......it's relentless....

Thanks goodness...

Posted: 28-03-2007 08:49:55
....my wife has had her plaster removed from her broken (fixed) wrist. ..... get back in the kitchen woman!

Auntie Vicky cooked me a curry last night, she's brilliant at it... fabulous chicken curry.

My daughter is having a great time skiing, either that or she's been kidnapped.... havent heard from her...... kids.......

My faith in humans...

Posted: 23-03-2007 08:43:53
....is being restored by the delightful people we're interviewing at the moment for the several vacancies we have going here. I've met some lovely people over the last few days and in a world where all we are fed is bad news about bad people it's refreshing to know that 100% of the people Ive met over the last few days have been 100% lovely.....

Shauns Birthday today, my little boys tomorrow, my daughter is of skiing tonight to France with her mate, my other son is off staying with his mates tonight, Im goin to watch my little boy play rugby tomorrow, it's gonna be a nice few days...happy weekend everyone...

Tonight,

Posted: 21-03-2007 16:21:02
I'm having a curry. My favourite, from my favourite restaurant. I need the spice, I'm addicted, no cure, oh dear.

Everything is...

Posted: 19-03-2007 11:45:07
....huge....due to my new glasses which I have to say I don't like wearing. It feels weird having specs on, everthing seems to move at a different pace when you turn your head....

Had a good weekend, taxi service on Saturday and family mothering sunday lunch yesterday. All went well, Tom didn't die 'cause his parachute jump was cancelled due to the weather....it's now next week that he jumps out of a plane.....Nurse!

Hello...

Posted: 16-03-2007 08:53:23
...I haven't written for a while, time seems to be speeding by, I wake up on a Monday morning , arive at my desk, look up and it's Friday. How does that work then?

The sun is shining, it's a beautiful day, spring is in the air and all is good. The sun has amazing powers, I'm sure people drive with manners when they feel the sun, people were even lettting people into the queues this morning.

Anyways, Mark is in London, Samis throwing up at home, Ed is on his way to Wales.... Today will be a peaceful day, might even throw a nice lunch into it. I'm sitting here on my own at 0832 with Chicane blasting out and a cup of espresso in front of me.... it's great being me.....have a nice weekend.

It's so busy....

Posted: 14-03-2007 16:46:29
...I haven't had a chance to write a blog entry. In fact, I'm not even writing this. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, 'tis Ritha here! For those of you not in the know I'm an ex-work experience employee from last summer. Popped round to say a friendly hello (and be a general nuisance for a bit) and found the guys working away like busy bees. Ian especially, has been under a mega amount of paperwork and admin that he's barely had a chance to breathe sideways. I pity the fool. Recommended him doing some yoga but he's not up for it (lazy!). Good job I was here anyway to brighten up the day like the little ray of sunshine that I am!

I'm back...

Posted: 12-03-2007 15:07:10
...but I'm too busy to tell you anything....I'm trying to catch up....

This was officially...

Posted: 02-03-2007 09:49:47
...the fastest week ever. It's Friday and I honestly can't recall what's happened this week. I'm going away to rest my brain for a few days on Sunday.... I will report in when I'm back! 'til then, have a good one....

My mate...

Posted: 27-02-2007 16:04:41
....Phil is back from skiing so, I'm playing tennis tonight, first time for over a week... looking forward to it very much....

I...

Posted: 26-02-2007 08:54:23
...survived.

Party was great, they had an "all nighter" which meant they managed to stay up watching horror films through out the night....

I went to watch Ed play rugby, bloody hell they play properly, it's rough. I reckon his career is over though, baby on the way, getting older and his knee is knackered... won't be long now....

My daughter is...

Posted: 23-02-2007 09:33:14
...14 today. She's growing up at a phenominal rate, my baby is turning into a young woman and it's not funny..... got 14 of her mates coming round to party tonight and sleep over...it'll be a laugh....

Interesting rugby match tomorrow, Ireland v England, interesting because of history. Ireland's new home of rugby is built at a place where the English killed civilians in 1920, so the idea of playing the national anthem in this stadium is rubbing salt in the wound of those Irish with strong memories and therefore passion will be running quite high. Some of my Irish mates don't care about it, but others do, the idea of singing God Save the Queen in this stadium is unthinkable to them....anyways, it'll be very interesting to see how it goes, even if you don't watch the match, I'd tune in to see what reaction the Irish give the England team and how they react to the singing bit at the start.....

My son...

Posted: 21-02-2007 09:04:28
..is a champion pancake cooker. I had the perfect pancake last night. I like mine with jam on....how do you like yours?

It's...

Posted: 20-02-2007 09:03:23
...Shrove Tuesday today. We all ought to be giving up something for 40 days. Not sure it'll go down too well with the boys here.....

Watched The Sentinel last night, really enjoyable film, no brainer, switch off, enjoy....

When I...

Posted: 19-02-2007 12:01:42
...asked my youngest son what meat he'd like for Sunday lunch, he said duck. So that's what he got!

Dropped my daughter and her mates off at The Academy Saturday night for their first proper gig without me. They went to see Bowling For Soup....loved it. She's growing up very fast, it's her birthday this week too...

I eat too much this weekend. Must do better....

I'm thoroughly...

Posted: 16-02-2007 12:09:31
....overworked. I'm having a drink this weekend, sod it.

My...

Posted: 15-02-2007 10:40:55
...wifes got no arms. Well at least she hasn't got the use of arms. She broke her left one yesterday whilst at the same time, she's damaged the right one which we managed to smash up properly in a motorbike accident (proper rock n roll stuff) in the 80's. She thought it would be a good idea to take the kids ice skating. Before she went, I asked if she could ice skate, she said yes. Whilst at the hospital I asked her again, she said yes but it was 28 years ago when she last had a go......Nurse!

Women, you can't live with them, you can't live with them.

Happy...

Posted: 14-02-2007 10:28:20
...Valentines Day. The postman delivered an extra sack today to cater for the extra mail we receive on this very fine sentimental day......mostly bills I hate to say......

What a lovely..

Posted: 12-02-2007 12:01:43
...day we had on Saturday at Shauns wedding. It was a great day which seemed to last about 15 minutes. I think we made up for all the non-drinking that went on during January. Took lots of pictures, here's one of four drunken bums for your amusement.....

Last day...

Posted: 09-02-2007 10:57:28
...for our chap Shaun to cancel the wedding. He gets married tomorrow, it's gonna be a blast. Mark is best man so I'm sure the nerves will increase at best man speech time, not from Mark, but all of us who are well aware of how rude he can be without knowing......magic...I'm sure we'll be showing the pictures next week..

On a different note, my middle son is a big Ray Meers fan. He loves the idea of killing and eating a food, he loves the honesty of it, so, we've arranged for a rabbit to be delivered today. Locally shot, wild rabbit, dead as a fish but otherwise untouched. We'll be gutting and skinning it later. Respect to my boy..... rabbits foot anyone?

Chilli...

Posted: 08-02-2007 10:27:52
...is good for you. We had a top balti last night, really fresh. The restaurant was freezin but the curry was hot and clean.

I'm working from home today cause the schools are closed due to the snow. The boys have all made it in...respect to them all. Respect to Rich too, he made it to the bus stop but wisely decided to not get on the bus!

I'm watching too much....

Posted: 07-02-2007 09:32:34
....TV. Did you see the programme last night about kids ballroom dancing......very odd. The kids obviously didn't want to do it, but the parents, through their own vanity and desperate hope that the kids would eventually earn them some filthy cash, made them. Horrible...and on top of that they have to paint their faces orange. It ain't right. Come the revolution, being a pushy parent will be illegal.

Women...

Posted: 06-02-2007 09:35:34
...are so, so complex. You'd think after 46 years of being around them, one would be able to understand them......not a chance my friend...

Anyways, call me a facist parenting pig but I happened to watch a programme last night which highlighted a family of 6 kids where the mum and dad were both blind and in the mums case, slightly mentally retarded. The eldest kids, about 12 and 10 years old did everything. The youngest child was born 8 months ago. Nappies were changed when the 12 year old got home from school.... I found it completely disturbing but it also made me angry....... I need to calm down a bit.....I'm thinking of starting my own political party called the Common Bloody Sense party.........it'll be fascist in principle without the killing and stuff....

Blimey...

Posted: 05-02-2007 09:33:10
...that was the fastest weekend ever.
Skiing = a doddle.
Aston Villa v West Ham = Villa are rubbish, Walsall FC are more entertaining.
Curry = fantastic.
Beer, Champagne and Brandy = Nice at the time.
Sunday Morning = the worst