Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Wednesday Weigh In - Solid Start

Well thats the first week over and I'm pleased to report a loss of 2lb, so now its 223lb instead of 225lb, happy if I can keep that rate up for a few months.

One worrying point is my knee is still not good, I'm resting it for next couple of weeks, have withdrawn from a few of my TT matches, not playing British league next weekend or county weekend after. Also dropped out of some of my local league matches for next couple of weeks. I'm aiming to be fully fit by month end for Veterans British league, we'll see.

Without been too active life is boring at present although am doing abit of walking. Its not a good thing because I've a couple of things on my mind one of which is effecting me emotionally. Nothing I feel I can blog and I'm very down, quite depressed to be honest.

On a positive note I'm looking forward to going out to lunch with Paula on sunday, which is great because she is the only person that knows whats going on in my life and I can talk with her about it. She's good at encouraging me to make the right decisions. Still better make sure I'm happy and we have a few laughs as I don't want to burdon her with all my problems all the time.

Wednesday, 4 January 2012

Weigh in Wednesday - A new start

Here we go for 2012 and I've got to confess I'm a pound heavier than I thought I was, I said the other day I was 224lb when I checked this morning I was actually 225lb, don't ask me why that happend can't explain it.

So my starting point is 225lb but more interesting is what am I going to do, what is my plan ?

Well not interesting actually because its basically all the usual stuff.

I'm cutting out cheese, chocolate, cakes, biscuits in fact I've none in the house so I cant be tempted, so anyone call for a coffee you wont be getting a biscuit, lol.

Sticking to main meals with no snacks (do have a coffee with no sugar in the afternoon).

Also not eating after 6pm except fruit if i feel hungry (and only 4 days into the plan I do feel hungry I'll admit).

Lets see how the first week goes.

Tuesday, 3 January 2012

Good Start

Reckon 2012 as started good but was a bit worried when Leeds United were losing 1-0 to Burnley with only a couple of minutes to go, never in doubt (lol) as the equaliser went in then with the last kick of the game the winner, 3 points in the bag and now only one point behind the play off places.

Yes that made me happy but its not the only thing, I got a visit from Paula yesterday and was really pleased to see her. Yes we have officially split up but as I've said previously we are still good friends its just we have different priorities at present which made a relationship difficult. We are both comfortable with the situation but I must admit yesterday confirmed I'm still very fond of her.
She stayed just under 2 hours, we had a bit of lunch and just chatted about what we had done at christmas. I was sorry to see her go, think a big part of me wishes things would have worked out different. Still never say never.

However I'm a free agent now and have to move on, I'm planing a few holidays/trips, may even meet up with another lady friend in the future, you'll have to wait and see on that one and I'm saying no more at this stage.

Can confirm I am meeting three lovely ladies in February, having a day out in London for a sort of reunion get together with the girls that were on holiday with me on the "Parks & Canyons" in the summer. Of course we are just friends as I was in a relationship at the time, good crowd though so we are bound to have a good laugh. Hopefully this wont be the last meet up as we do all get on so well. So Liz, Rachael & Eirian "see you soon" (thats them in photo below).


Got contacted by Janes brother (Kevin) inviting me down to visit them this year. Think I should at some stage as I would like to see them all and of course take some flowers to the grave. I do periodically talk on the phone with her Mum & Dad and think they would be real pleased to see me.

Went out for a few games of Pool last night, we didn't have a match so just played among ourselves. Enjoyed it, was good to catch up with the lads.

So the new year is up and running.

Sunday, 1 January 2012

Here we go again

Well thats 2011 over and as you all know its not been the greatest for me with both parents passing away. Suppose as a only child its now me against the world and this is the first year of the rest of my life.

I always set my aims each year and I've just been reading my last years post on the same subject, quite interesting :-
Weight Loss - Last year I was a couple of month into a new campaign and did quite well for a few months but events took their toll and my plans went onto the back burner. Still I can report I'm actually lighter today than I was at the start of 2012, ok only by 6lb but its better than i expected. Current weight is 224lb and i aim to kick on as you'll see in my "weight loss wednesday" posts starting this week.

My Sport - My target last year was to get my golf handicap down from 16 to 10, didn't achieve this thats for sure in fact I hardly played (despite paying my membership fees). The main reason was due to dating on top of a few injuries. Gotta decide whether I want to play and renew my membership in June, need maybe to play a few rounds in winter/spring to see if its what i want to do.
Still obviously playing TT but seem to be getting a lot of trouble with my knee, maybe I need to cut down on things i play in.
Also playing Pool but to be honest I'm getting a bit stale with all the sports, maybe its just to do with this years events or maybe I need a new challenge and sould take something else up. Saying that I've many friends in my sports so probably wont.

 Sport - Was hoping my team Leeds United would get promotion to the Premiership but it wasn't to be, just missed out on play offs by one place so the wish is the same, was going ok but recent form hasn't been great and but still within touching distance of the play offs. Injuries to key players are having a effect so some investment in the january transfer window is needed, not holding my breath though.

Dating - Last year i said the time was right for me to get back into the dating game and at easter I met Paula and we spent much of the year together but we've decided to go our seperate ways, not that we've fallen out but just simply we have different priorities in life at present. We are still good friends and I'm ve fond of her. I dont think the door is totally closed if circumstances change further down the line and neither of us meet someone else in the meantime.
Still I'm not sat here feeling sorry for myself or trying to turn the clock back, I'm back in the hunt as they say (so watch this space).

Travel - Set my target of adding 6 new places to my travel map and achieved this I think (Mallorca, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Cyprus [Paphos, Nicosia & Limassol) and the French Alps [Annecy & Chamonix) so hopefully I'll add a few more this year.

Blogging - Did say I'd blog more which I think I did and don't aim to stop. Sadly a few of my blog friends have called it a day but I intend staying around.

Hope everyone who reads my blog has a great 2012.

Friday, 30 December 2011

Back Home

Back from holiday and must admit had a good time, it was a good decision to go following recent events. Feeling a little sad and lonely at present, seem to be in limbo waiting for the new year, I know its only a date but pyschologically I feel thats when my life will start again.

The holiday was two firsts for me, 1st coach holiday and 1st Christmas holiday, not sure about the coach bit, think I prefer flying ut would do a christmas trip again.

Some of the scenary in the mountains was fantastic and I was with a good group of people, we had loads of laughs.

You can check out all my photos here :-

Wednesday, 21 December 2011

Tonight

Tonight I'm away to the French Alps for christmas even though I'm not a big lover of the French, still hoping to have a great time.
Heres a few songs to leave you with :-






Even calling at Paris on the way back, swore I'd never go again after what happend on May 28th 1975, bloody cheating Germans.


Anyway hope you all have a fantastic Christmas.

Sunday, 18 December 2011

Heightened Terror Threat

Heightened Threat Levels In Europe


The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved."

Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." Londoners have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to a "Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was during the great fire of 1666.

Also, the French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Surrender" and "Collaborate." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.

It's not only the English and French that are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."

The Germans also increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbor" and "Lose"

The Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.!!!

Saturday, 17 December 2011

Cold & Lonely

Yes I'm cold as my Boiler failed last night, I've put a call out for the engineer but they not coming until tuesday morning. Sods law they wont have the right parts with them so will have to come back at a later date.

Luckily I have a electric fire I don't normally use, it not great but it helps. Also got a immersion heater as back up so can heat the main tank up so plenty of hot water.

Was actually out last night at our TT clubs christmas dinner, 32 of us atteneded it was a good night which I enjoyed. Paula came along and stayed over which was great but the bad news on that front is we've decided to split up. We had actually made the decision well before last night but are still good friends and decided to fulfill all our commitments together.
I doubt anyone there last night guessed the situation as we are still quite close, its hard to explain but we've never argued, neither are seeing anyone else or anything like that. We are both different charactors and want to do different things, have different priorities at this stage in our lives so decided to give each other some space.
Maybe time will change things who knows because I think we are both fond of each other but feel its maybe right decision at the present, we'll see. Think maybe we'll meet up for a drink/meal at some stage unless of course one of us meets someone else.

I'm a bit depressed about it, we've been together the best part of this year and I suppose christmas isn't the greatest time but when is. Sill got to look on it as another chapter of my life and its time to move on to my next adventure.

Soon be on my christmas holiday need to start thinking what to pack.

Monday, 12 December 2011

Keeping Busy

Its well over a week since I last posted so thought better do an update.

Had the week away staying in Norfolk which I tied in with playing a table tennis tournament in Norwich, I did ok qualifying into the main draw in both over 40's & 50's, sadly my knee was too sore so I had to sratch on the Sunday.
Still had a nice week with Paula staying in a cottage we rented, ate out at local pubs some nights but others we stayed in and just chilled watching films or playing board games such as Chess, Backgammon, scrabble, etc.
Was really impressed with the cottage, wouldn't hesitate to stay again it was spotless clean and had was well equipped. http://www.angelcottages.co.uk/

Got home mid day friday then on the night went out with a few ex workmates, was good to catch up with them all.

Sunday I played tt again this time in the British, we played at Derby which is about a one and half hour drive for me. We lost our first match but won our 2nd and are currently 4th in the league, managed to win 2 out of my 4 matches but the knee still isn't right. Think I need a bit of a break.

Tonight we haven't a Pool match as the league as finished, may go down to Pub for a practice though weather permitting. Apparently the forcast isn't good we have some big storms (heavy rain and strong winds) on the way.
Got most of my xmas cards done today, visited a few relations taking them out. Also had to call at the solicitors because they had sorted the probate certificate for Dad so I can now deal with his affairs. Gee them solicitors know what to charge.
Also sorted the House insurance today as its due in January so I've spent a lot of money.

Friday its out TT Club Xmas dinner, not sure if Paula is coming but really hope she can make it.

Well its only 9 days and I'm on my way to the French Alps for Christmas, really looking forward to the trip. Really need to get away this year with everything thats happend.

Friday, 2 December 2011

Getting ready

After lunch we'll be on our way to Norfolk, looking forward to it as I've never done a cottage holiday before. It'll take us about 4 hours to drive down or maybe longer depending on traffic as friday is never good.
Over the weekend I'm entered in a TT tournament in Norwich about 15 miles from where we are staying but my knee is not good, its been very sore and swollen since I slipped a couple of weeks ago. Did play a match last night and came through ok but playing loads of matches at tournament level is a different prospect. I'll take it one game at a time and if I think I'm making it worse I'll scratch.

Paula used to live in the area we are staying (for 5 or 6 years) so she'll be the tour guide and think she is playing for us to meet up with a couple of old friends.

Not sure if I'll be online so this might be last time I blog for a week or so but you never know as I think Paula is taking her laptop.

Just thinking when I get back it'll only be a couple of weeks before I go to France for Christmas.