They grow up so fast!!

It's been a busy few weeks with lots of family events, and milestones! And lots of reminders that my little girls are growing up VERY quickly!


This photo of Eloise was taken last week on our (now) annual family outing to Greenwich. We started this 3 years ago, just me, Melissa and Eloise, and had such a good day that we've ended up spending a day there every year since (obviously now joined by Maisie, and other members of the family over the past couple of years!!). Anyway, Eloise has now officially left Pre-School, with her final day being Friday, when they finished up with a Beach Party. It's odd to think that this is the same tiny little person I held in my arms on that wet Saturday night in November 2003, it seems to have passed so quickly. Now she has School uniform hanging in her wardrobe ready for the upcoming September morning when she attends school for the first time! Although no-one from her Pre-School will read this blog (as far as I'm aware!), Melissa and I have to say that they have been brilliant for the last 2 and a bit years. Eloise has loved her time there, and they've prepared her well for her move up to "big" school - for her part, she can't wait to get started. And now the Pre-School staff have a few months to catch their breath, and prepare themselves for the arrival of Hurricane Howell part 2 in January next year! And here she is:

Maisie hits 2 in September. In some ways she is a completely different character to Eloise, but has seemed to grow up so much just in the last few weeks. Her speech is coming on really well now, and she's not backward in coming forward, particularly if she doesn't agree with what you are saying! As Nanny discovered last week when she referred to her new cardigan as a jacket!! She loves trying new things, and dotes on her big sister, who is happy to reciprocate.

And finally to my other girl!!:

As you may recall, in my last blog I mentioned that Melissa had been into hospital for some surgery. Well, that all went well, and she is now on the road to recovery, although still a little bit sore around the area of her head where her "lump" was removed. The photo above was taken at a recent family wedding, and I just thought I'd add it because she looks so lovely in it!

I'm incredibly proud of my girls! We've just booked a family holiday for next Easter, just the four of us, where we're going to go on a little adventure to France for a week, driving over there, staying on a campsite, and driving back again! The times we spend together are ones that I cherish, particularly as events continue to develop around us, and sometimes it feels like we're "running through treacle" - at least I have three reasons for keeping a smile on my face!

June Journal!

It has been observed that I have yet to blog in June, so I thought I'd better rectify the matter before incurring further wrath from the general direction of South Essex!



So June began much as May had ended, with me completing my "UK Pension Tour" 2008. I finished (as all good tours should) in London on 9th June - Wembley was busy though, so I had to make do with a conference room on the 3rd floor of an office complex in Farringdon. It brought to an end a four week tour that had seen my deliver my presentation a grand total of 33 times in Newcastle, Scarborough, Barnsley, Birmingham, Norwich, Letchworth, Richmond, London, Basildon, Colchester, Hammersmith, Lewisham, Burton on Trent, Southampton, Letchworth (again), Southgate, Hornsey, Letchworth (for the 3rd time), Slough, and London. Now I get a few months respite, until I set out on repeat performances sometime in October. Book early to avoid disappointment!



Also this month saw our first meeting at the School Eloise will be starting in September - we're pleased that she got into the first choice school, and also that she will be in the class we were hoping she would be allocated to, but having to start buying school uniform, book bags etc is still all a bit odd!



Maisie is now hurtling towards her 2nd birthday in September, with her own individual character developing more each day. She's talking more now, and loves to be doing whatever her big sister is doing. She has also started "music and movement" session and now looks forward to her Thursday morning Dance!!



Today has been a bit fraught as Melissa has been into hospital for some surgery. About 6 months ago she noticed a lump that had appeared above her ear. After numerous tests it was found to be benign, but still had to go in to have it removed. Thankfully it turned out to be fairly straightforward surgery, but she is spending tonight in hospital as she recovers from the after effects of the operation.



Lastly, this month has seen me get my 15 minutes of fame with a feature in Weight Watchers magazine - I blogged about the photo shoot back in April, and the results were published a few weeks back. The magazine is still available in newsagents, but probably only for another week or so - check it out!!



Finally, next Monday, 30th June, is the fourth anniversary of my dad dying. Seems four years has gone very quickly, and Eloise still talks about her "Grandad Charlie" although she only knew him for a few months. It's saddens me to think that Maisie won't ever be able to form any memories of him, but in some ways I'm comforted that he hasn't had to face some of the events of the last 18 months. Love you Dad and still miss you every day.

London - Grrrrrrrr!

Work is manic at the moment - I am in the middle of a series of presentations to one of our clients - by the end of the series I will have presented 45 times in 17 different locations. Last week I travelled almost 900 miles visiting Newcastle, Scarborough, Barnsley, Birmingham and Norwich ( I get all the best gigs!), and by and large those travels were fairly trouble free. With the exception of a 30 minute delay on the M11 coming back from Birmingham, I have been pretty successful in keeping moving thus far. So, today's trip seemed fairly simple - starting off in Richmond at 9am, followed by the City of London at 2pm. Now I know the M25 can have it's off days, so with that in mind I set off at 6am. 3 hours, 75 miles, that should be fine.

All was going well, I was across the Dartford crossing by 6.45 and everything was still moving until junction 5. Then I stopped, and started and stopped and so on for about the next 30 miles, and for no apparent reason either. Still, I got off the dreaded M25 at 8am, and only had about 9 miles to go, so that should be fine shouldn't it?? At 8.45 I was thinking I was cutting it a bit fine, but was entering Richmond so just about had time to get parked, unload the car, set up the laptop and projector etc for a 9am start, as long as there was no further problems. Then the phone rang - it was the meeting organiser, who was based at the company's main office in Hertfordshire to inform me that she was very sorry, but she had given me the incorrect address for the presentation. It wasn't at their office, but at the Hampton Hill Playhouse. Great!! So I punched the details into Navman and set off for the extra couple of miles now added to my journey, except in turning around I was now sat in a queue of traffic waiting to get out of a junction. However, I located the Playhouse, parked up, unloaded the car and went in - only to be told by bloke who worked there that they had been told on Friday that the meeting was cancelled! After a few phonecalls it was established that there had been a bit of an error, and then 3 people turned up for the first session. The HR rep from the company was stuck on the M25 so I started on my own. I'd sat in the car for 3 hours, and had no breakfast, so by the end of the session I was starving! Anyway, grabbed some toast, and went back for the second session, which 5 people turned up for, and the HR rep also managed to arrive for.

I was finished by 12, and was due in the City of London for 2pm - no problem, was only 15 miles, surely that wouldn't be a problem? Anyway, as I began my afternoon presentation at 2.35pm.......Honestly, London is supposed to be one of the finest cities in the world, yet to travel 15 miles took me over 2 hours and I had to pay £8 for the privilege - Madness! Boris, I can't help thinking you've got your work cut out!!

Strike a pose....

So, last Thursday saw me setting off to London for the day to take part in the Weight Watchers photo shoot that I mentioned in my last post.

It was a really good day, although a bit long - there was quite a lot of standing around and waiting actually, so I'm not sure I could handle being a model and doing that everyday! The official shots aren't out yet, but one of the other guys took some pictures on his own camera, so I thought I'd share some as a bit of a taster.

As you can see, there were four of us taking part in the shoot, and the morning was spent doing the group shots, however, before any photos could be taken we had to have our hair sorted out and make up applied. The make up artist in question has worked with lots of famous people and also does the hair and make up for Eastenders - she said she would make us look like stars, so I chose Dot Cotton!

Breakfast was kindly laid on for us - Croissants and Pain au Chocolat - we did point out that feeding us with that kind of food kind of missed the point of why we were there in the first place, so the Weight Watchers magazine staff ate them instead - a very cunning plan!

The photographer was excellent, really put us at ease and made us feel comfortable. Very funny guy as well, and the photos looked great on his laptop. In the afternoon it was time for individual shots and a change of outfit, before the day was over and we all went home.

It was a great, if slightly surreal, experience - I never thought I'd see the day I featured in Weight Watchers magazine. The feature is appearing in the July issue, which hits the shops at the beginning of June, now if you'll excuse me I have to go, I have a meeting with my agent.......!

Work that camera!!!

So, it's been a while........again!! However, I do have some exciting news - I'm going to appear in a magazine - I'm going to appear in a feature in a magazine - I'm going to be one of the subjects of the magazine feature, not just someone who has been stopped on the street and has then been quoted a couple of lines - I'm going to be in a photo shoot to accompany said feature - the feature is going to appear in a magazine that is available in stores like WH Smith, Sainsbury, Tesco etc all around the country - yes ladies and gentlemen, I am going to appear in (drum roll please)..............Weight Watchers magazine, oh yes indeedy!!!! Am due to be going up to London in the next couple of weeks for the photo shoot and then it will appear in an issue of the magazine over the next few months - who knows where it will lead......maybe when the conservatory we're currently having built is finished "Hello" will want to do an exclusive multi-page spread on it......oh the possibilities!!!

And in other news that also involves me being in print, found out last week that the SA are publishing a piece of Songster music that I wrote the words for. It was written about three years ago (music by Dean Jones), and seems sort of funny that it's only just being published given our current situation.

Busy April coming up, but looking forward to a week at Center Parcs towards the end of the month with some friends, and also to Eloise being a mascot at Colchester United for the last ever league game at Layer Road before they pull the old place down. She's very excited (so am I!)

Anyway, check out my blog list as there are a couple of new additions - Katie's blog is entertaining and should provide a few chuckle. Ed's likewise, despite the numerous references to Ipswich Town - I have known Ed for many years, in fact he used to attend Layer Road on a fairly regular basis for a while, and then somewhere along the line it all went horribly wrong for him............!!!

73.5%!

Yes, on January 21st I reached the "5 Stone lost" milestone, and am now approximately 73.5% of the person I was when I started my diet in January 2007! As you can probably imagine, I am quite chuffed with this, and once I have shifted another 7lbs to 1st will be able to say I've reached where I want to be!

In other news, Christmas came and went, and we had a very nice relaxing one, although it seems like ages ago now! Just before Christmas we completed Eloise's school application ( can't believe she starts this September) and we find out in April which school she has been allocated a place in (hopefully the first choice!) - Belated thanks to Mrs Fox for her professional opinion on said 1st Choice school's latest Ofsted report!

As most of my recent tv favourites all seemed to reach the end of current series just before Christmas (Spooks, Heroes and Dragons Den), there seems to have been a lack of decent programmes to watch in these long, dark, cold winter evenings (although I must admit a sneaking enjoyment of Relocation, Relocation on Channel 4 and re-runs of Never Mind the Buzzcocks on "Dave" - great name for a TV Channel!). However, it would appear things are beginning to pick up - I've caught the first couple of episodes of a new US Comedy/Drama on E4 called "Reaper" which, although it is quite a black comedy, looks like it will keep me entertained. However, I am very excited this week, as Thursday night sees the start of a new series on BBC1, "Ashes to Ashes", not a sequel to, but more a spin off from the wonderful, superb, fantastic, brilliant "Life on Mars" (Yes, I quite liked it!).

Now, I must admit, that when the idea of "Ashes to Ashes" first surfaced last year I was a bit dubious, particularly as "Life on Mars" had only just finished, but I'm looking forward to seeing what they've done with this so will be settling down in front of the tv on Thursday night to find out! Hoping DCI Gene Hunt is as full of great one liners in the 1980's as he was in 1973, and I'll leave you with one of my favourites - "She's more nervous than a very small nun at a penguin shoot"!

Yule (B)Log

Sooooooo, I haven't blogged for ages, and it's nearly the end of the year. The photo above is the "christmassiest" (new word, will be in the Oxford English Dictionary next year, just you wait and see!) I had to hand, and was taken on our recent trip to Disneyland Paris, which Eloise and Maisie enjoyed almost as much as me and Melissa!

Not sure how often I'll be updating from now on (not that I've been that regular anyway) but just wanted to take the opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'm winding down towards the end of the day now, off to client function in Southend shortly, and then it's 11 Days off. Looking forward to some chill out time, a bit of football (watching and playing!) and then spending New Year's Eve at home with the family and finally kicking 2007 into touch, not a year I'll be disappointed to see the back of!

Here's to 2008.

Christmas is coming.........

.....Yes! It's less than two months away, and if you're already struggling for present ideas, then let me suggest the following............

This is "Little Cooks", a cook book inspired by and to raise money for Little Havens Children's Hospice, where Melissa works. Rather than let me waffle on about it, this is what the official press release says........

" Little Cooks features recipes from children, their families and staff at the hospice, plus contributions from celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, Delia Smith and Ainsley Harriot. Priced at £5.99 each, the books will be available from October at outlets including some Essex branches of Asda, Waterstones, Havens Hospices charity shops and via the charity's website, www.littlehavens.org.uk "

So there you go, a bargain! Anyway, just so you know how much you'd be helping out, the Hospice has annual running costs in excess of £1.6million, and the government provide just £25,000 each year towards this. They have to rely on public donations to provide the rest.

So there you, put one in everyone's stocking, tell your family, tell your friends, tell your work colleagues, tell that bloke in Oxford St who stands there all day with the sign that says "Golf Sale", tell everyone - Please...............

.....BUY THIS BOOK!!

Happy Birthday Amelia

Today would have been Amelia's 4th Birthday. Amelia was the daughter of Melissa's cousin, Sarah. Her and Eloise were best friends, just 5 weeks apart in age. Tragically, Amelia died as the result of a road accident in February of this year, along with her Grandad.

Today Eloise has been to Amelia's special Garden, and released a Balloon for her. In her words she wanted the "Angels to catch it and give it to Amelia".

Happy Birthday Amelia, you are missed by us all, and especially by Eloise.

Everything Changes

So, prompted by Mr Mitchinson, I thought I'd better post again.





Life, for the last few weeks, has been hectic - work has kept me busy and last week I was travelling around the country doing some presentations. Over the course of 5 days I found myself in Hitchin, Letchworth, Dartford, Cobham, Cardiff and Huddersfield (and believe me travelling from Cardiff to Huddersfield, and then from Huddersfield to Chelmsford in the same day certainly takes it out of you!). I clocked up over 1,000 miles, passed through around 18 different counties, and was apparently on the highest motorway point in the UK whilst on the M62 (Well, I think I was, didn't quite get time to read all of what the sign said - I wasn't driving by the way, so was allowed to try and read it!). And in the middle of all that I had my birthday - so, another year older, another year wiser??? Hmm, will reserve judgement on that one!





Last night I was quite excited, because last night it was time for.........

Yep, a new series of Spooks - one of my favourite programmes on tv. Really enjoyed it, but something struck me this morning. In a strange kind of way the fact that I was able to enjoy it really demonstrated to me the way that everything has changed for me (stick with me here!). In previous years, the BBC scheduling a new series of this (or any other favourite, Like "Life on Mars" for example) for a Tuesday night would have resulted in an outburst from me - Why, when they could pick any evening of the week, would they pick the one night I'm out - It was so infuriating! It invariably led to late nights, as I would arrive home late from Songster Practice, but couldn't avoid the temptation to watch it there and then on "catch up". This year, no such problem. It's not that Songster Practice has changed nights, it's just that I'm not there - Everything changes.

A year ago, there were things, people and relationships that were a big part of my life, some had always been a big part of my life, and even defined a lot of who I am. I couldn't imagine that there would ever be a time when those things, people and relationships wouldn't be a big part of my life. Now, as a result of the course of events that have unfolded over the past year, some of those things seem far away. Now I know that some of those changes have been instigated by me, and that's just part of where I am at the moment, but some of them haven't, and some things have changed and I'm not sure why.

I've never been one for living in the past, and always coped with change quite well - but I don't like these changes. I'd just like things to be as they were, I miss that.

Before and After

Tomorrow is Maisie's 1st birthday! I have no idea where that year has gone - She's already growing up quickly!!

What a difference a year makes. Here is a photo taken in the summer of last year (Melissa was pregnant at the time! I had no such excuse!!):

And here is one taken this summer:

In the past year I've had to face up to situations that I would rather not have, and have learnt a lot about myself, and others around me. Sometimes the things I've learnt have been things I'd rather not have. I'm a very different person now and not just in the way I look.....

Too much, too young?

Let me introduce you to Hana - She's a duck, and the star of the programme "Hana's Helpline" (Yes, for some reason it's only spelt with one 'n'). Eloise likes this programme - I don't, for two reasons:

1) The basic set up of the show is that Hana runs a helpline which people can call up, and she helps with their problems. Whilst this normally involves a happy ending, I can't say I'm entirely comfortable with the concept of a programme aimed at Pre-School age kids that is basically telling them they should get therapy. Now, I know in "real life" there are some situations where this might be necessary, but this would be the exception rather than the norm. Surely turning it into the basis for a kids tv show is too much, too young???

2) The second reason I don't like it, and by far the most concerning, frustrating thing about it is this.......................................................The theme tune is so flipping annoying it's untrue!! Virtually every day this week, this programme has been on in the morning, and I then can't get the tune out of my head for the rest of the day! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, come on now, all join in......

"Moo, Baa, double Quack, double Quack, She'll send your problems packing, Moo, Baa, double Quack, double Quack, come on on now lets get quacking"

Make it stop, please.........................................!!!

Here comes the Sun.....(Hopefully)!

Well, despite the hint last weekend that summer had arrived, the weather is still, frankly, rubbish. Not that I am worried, because on Saturday we are off on holiday, and according to the weather forecast for the area of Spain we're going to, it's sunshine all the way!!! It's going to be a week of doing very little, sitting on the beach, or by the pool. The summer reading is all packed and ready to go, though nothing else is yet!, and Eloise is very excited! It's going to be a much needed holiday this year, and I don't think I've ever looked forward to getting away for a break so much!

So, have fun everybody, see you soon!

For the whosoever??

I've been a part of the Salvation Army for all my life, grown up in it, got married in it, seen my children dedicated in it. Figured I knew what it was all about - however, seems we've introduced social profiling now, and in the name of protecting itself (which, however it might be dressed up, is the over-riding concern) the "powers that be" are now decreeing who is and isn't acceptable, and requesting those that aren't, don't attend. Jesus, apparently is for the whosoever, the army, it would appear, is slightly more choosy. Hooray for comfortable, surburban, Middle Class christianity - William Booth must be so proud.

For Kirsty - A lesson in 80's-ology

Following on from Kirsty's wander back through the mists of time, I feel it would be wrong of me not to provide some education on the areas in which she is lacking, so with the assistance of youtube, Kirsty here's a lesson in 80's-ology:

1) Vanilla Ice - the precursor to Eminem - "To the extreme I rock a mic like a vandal, light up the stage and wax a chump like a candle" - Indeed Mr Ice, and was there ever a finer rap lyric than "cooking MC's like a pound of bacon"?? No, I don't think so! Anyway, cast your eyes below and you can indeed "check out the hook while my DJ revolves it"!!!



2) Mr Miyagi - see the following video homage to the karate legend and Daniel-san, including the famous "wax on, wax off" method, painting the fence and that weird 1-legged scissor kick thing that we were all trying in the playground for weeks (soundtrack provided by MC Hammer - a perfect fusion of 80's icons!!):



3) Rentaghost - Timothy Claypole, Dobbin, Miss Popov, Mr & Mrs Meaker etc (I can't remember the Witch's name though) Incidentally, the actor that played Harold Meaker often drinks in the pub my eldest brother frequents in London, although he doesn't like being reminded of his Rentaghost years (Harold Meaker that is, not my brother!):



4) DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Recorded THE GREATEST summer tune ever, funnily enough called "summertime", see below. Unfortunately they followed it up with the rather oddly named "boom, shake the room", which was, quite frankly, rubbish:



Here endeth the lesson, but I would suggest further additions to the curriculum should include "Jamie and the Magic Torch", "Fonzy and the Happy Days gang" (The cartoon version), Kids of Degrassi St/Degrassi Junior High and Romford's very own Five Star!!

This has absolutely nothing to do with me!!!

This is as a result of a conversation between my lovely wife and Estelle Blake. I divulge all responsibility for any offence caused to your eardrums, and ask that you do not take what follows as any reflection of my own thoughts or moral values:



We love you Estelle, but I can't say I'm too enamoured with the choice of music!!

That said, whilst searching Youtube for this video, I also found this little piece of Musical gold - the same song, but sung in Japanese - a vast improvement I'm sure you'll agree!

So there I was......

....sitting on the beach, topping up my tan, generally unwinding when this happened.......

Priorities, Economies and Social Justice

Here's a selection of public sector jobs being advertised this week:

- Single Front Office Development Officer
- Deputy for Governance and Competitiveness
- Capacity and Change Policy Manager
- Head of Engagement and Partnerships
- Scrutiny and Equality Support Officers
- Supporting People Commissioning Manager
- Civil Contingencies Strategy Manager
- Dual Diagnosis Practictioner (part of the Assertive Outreach Team)
- Reparation Co-Ordinator

What do they have in common?? They are all offering significant salaries (funded by the taxpayer), and the job titles are complete nonsense, giving no possible clue of what the job involves. Why am I highlighting this, and bear in mind this is just a selection from over 500 similar jobs that are being advertised? Well, at the same time, consider the following:

- Many NHS trusts are freezing recruitment of nurses, and in some cases have made nurses redundant.
- One healthcare trust in London has (on at least one occasion) in the past two years been "technically bankrupt"
- Our local Childrens hospice, which has an annual operating cost of £2.6million, is receiving just £25,000 in funding from the state, and relying on public donations for the balance of £2,575,000.
- We have the highest rate of teenage pregnancies than any other country in the Western world.
- We have a generation of young people who feel disaffected and disenfranchised. They are also less literate on leaving school than any other country in the Western world. (no reflection on those who work in the education system, more on the lack of investment from the state)
- Levels of crime are rising, our prisons are overcrowded, and upon release prisoners are more likely to re-offend than in any other European country.

Added to this, on a global scale, we have the following:

- Human trafficking continuing on a massive scale whilst Western Governments pat themselves on the back for "abolishing" slavery 200 years ago.
- Someone dying every three seconds in Africa as a result of malnutrition, the massive Aids epidemic, or illnesses that would be laughed at if described as "life threatening" in the Western world. Meanwhile, governments continue to avoid answering questions regarding dropping Third World debt, and pharmaceutical companies continue to resist providing cheap, simple drugs that could save countless lives, whilst pulling in billions of pounds in profits each year.

Makes you wonder about the priorities, and moral values of the people that make the decisions doesn't it?????

Impossible?Pah! Impossible is nothing!

Found this, thought others might want to give it a try:

www.notdoppler.com/theimpossiblequiz.php (hopefully link will work, if not copy and paste into the address bar!)

Think I've made it up to question 36 so far. Some questions require varying degrees of lateral thinking, some are just plain baffling you just have to take a guess!!

Wonder who can get the furthest

(P.S - Warning! One of the questions I have done had some slightly dodgy language, don't know about any further on as haven't got that far yet!!)