Cot Becomes Bed

On Saturday Parkes and I transformed Beth's cot into a bed. We braced ourselves for a disruptive night as Beth got used to her new sleeping arrangements but it passed without a problem and the little lady got out of her bed at 7:45am on Sunday morning. Last night Beth fell out of bed (onto carefully positioned pillows) between 2:00am and 3:00am but, apart from that, had another good night. We are not out of the woods yet but it has been a very promising start.

Hey, I know it is still November but we ran out of ideas for things to do on a cold and wet Sunday. My halls have been well and truly decked.

Weekend Accumulator

I have never been a fan of the National Lottery. I know a friend of a friend who got 5 numbers correct in the main draw and received a thousand pounds (or maybe two thousand - can't remember exactly). I don't think that represents a decent reward for coming that close to the jackpot. Instead, I like to think I got a better chance trying to predict the scores at the weekend. I have put down £2.50 and could win near £500 if all of these slap-happy predictions come in.

Scotland vs Argentina / Scotland @ 4/9
Man. City v Hull / Draw @ 4/1
Portsmouth v Man. Utd / Man. Utd @ 1/3
Wigan v Sunderland / Wigan @ 7/5
Wales vs Australia / Wales @ 10/11
Arsenal v Chelsea / Chelsea @ 6/4
Barcelona v Real Madrid / Barcelona @ 4/5

Back in Docklands again today. I've managed to fix the issue that has been bugging me for the last week. Sungard (the company whose office I am currently sitting in) are a great company to work for. They have a vending area serving free cans of Lilt!! Wow. I haven't drunk Lilt since I was in short trousers. It really seemed like a totally tropical taste back then to a small, spotty boy growing up in Basildon.

Midlife

I think I am having a midlife. It would be called a midlife crisis by some but I don't particularly feel it is a "crisis" - my family and I are happy, we are financially sound and we are in good health. So no worries on that front, just maybe a career change is needed or maybe a change of location. I like my contract work in the City because it pays well but if the money disappears then so do I. I have toyed with the idea of teaching English as a foreign language but I worry about the amount of prep required and the standard of my grammar ain't great. However, I do enjoy my language exchanges with Juan in Madrid so maybe I should investigate further the teaching option. Apart from that, I really don't have a clue. Any ideas?

New Indian Restaurant Sensation

Out of the glowing embers that was The Akash has risen the firey phoenix that is Spice Lounge. Parkes and I tried the newly-open restaurant for a take-away on Friday night and found the food delicious. We didn't have to wait too long for the food either.

Lazy Sunday morning. What's going on with the hair?

Wow this is a nice place to be. An ear-popping 41 floors high. Magnificent vistas. I just wish I could get this software working.

I am loving the new high speed service from Ramsgate to St Pancras International. The trains are spacious, have decent air-con and are very, very quick. Not Japanese bullet train quick but fast never the less. I sip my coffee, relax and arrive at my destination refreshed and ready to do business (which it is great but unfortunately I have currently nothing to do at work). Tomorrow I am being packed off to Canary Wharf to sort a couple of things out. It will be nice to be doing something for a change.

Cheesy muffins hand-baked by Parkes and Beth. We booked our tickets to the Cinderella panto at The Granville yesterday. Looking forward to the hiss and boo.

Beth relaxing with a good book on Sunday morning.

Snoozing Part 1

Sleeping Beauty

Check out these two sleeping beauties! Whilst watching the sea roll in and over, strings fell asleep as did Beth- great company..

Parkes out and about

Snoozing Part 2

Wagon

I have fallen off it. I had a glass of Chrissy and Damien's white wine last night and have four pints of Gadds' No 3 ready for tonight. Still, 20 days wasn't too bad but some way short of 365.

The face of someone who got wet putting the petrol in this afternoon.

Working hard. My second week of my thirteen week contract has been slightly busier. I now have my ID pass and can move around a bit. Next week I will be visiting the 43rd floor of the Citigroup tower in Docklands. That'll be ace! Hopefully the air won't be too thin and I'll be able to get some pics.

This weekend looks to be quiet. There is a possibility I may be going to the gym with Keith on Saturday night. Gym on Saturday nights?! Oh booze, why has thou forsaken me?

My booze ban has entered its 19th day and I have noticed that I now have a tubby belly. Get that!! I thought that giving up beer would help lose weight rather than put it on. Parkes wants me to start drinking again. Kaiser Keith is still going strong on his booze ban and is the pinacle of health and fitness.

Thank You

Many thanks to Damien, Chrissy & Otto for their lovely gifts of booze and chocolates. We have started on the chocs and they are delicious.

Parkes and I went to see The Specials in Margate on Saturday night. They were ace! A very tight band, lots of energy and a few thousand thirty, forty and fifty-somethings. Everyone loved it! On Sunday Jed came over in the afternoon and enjoyed visiting the park and eating ice cream. Good skillz.

Here's Charles! Charles is a jazz man, likes raw meat and can stand on his head for up to an hour.

Here's Dave! Dave is a good shot with a camera, dislikes squirrels and has a large collection of guns and munitions.

Here's Bal! Bal has recently started wearing a shirt and jumper at work and is looking very smart.

Work Update / The Specials

Not much going on in my first week back in the smoke. I haven't got a desk or a pass or a manager or anything to do. So I have been quietly minding my own business and lurking in dark corners. Business as usual really.

Back in Ramsgate Parkes and I will be going to see The Specials on Saturday night in Margate. It promises to be a fun-filled evening even though I know none of their tunes (well maybe a couple).