Log
Wednesday 1st December 2004
I cannot believe it is December the 1st today. This year has gone by so fast. I'll leave all the "this year has been...." talk till new years though. I'll just say it's been one of the best and worst years of my life, and easily the busiest.
Pinch, punch, 1st of the month and no returns!
Thursday 2nd December 2004
My journey to work is usually pretty boring, sometimes i don't even remember driving to work. Most days i drive to my dads, then he drives the rest of the way. Get the normal idiots on the roads, nothing special, but today...
Firstly, i'm driving down the A41 and notice my bonnet moving slightly, so i stopped and it was on the catch. sorted. Get to my dads and outside his place it looks like a bomb's hit it. A car just down the road on the other side is totaled, the fence right across the road has been completely demolished and there is debris everywhere. I go inside and mention about the bomb site and my dad says he thought he heard something during the night.
We get off on the way and this big white van sticks to the back end of the car. He takes the outside lane of the roundabout, acts the prat, but lots of people do that. Get on the M1 and he overs takes 2 cars, dangerously and heads down the M10 infront of us. We manage to get past him, a bit slyly, and i think that might have pissed him off.
He followed us all the way to Tescos. Then we park up, i go in, get some food. Come out and this women has parked her mini-bus right next to the car, i can't even get in. Then the last 1/2 mile to work this volvo is driving down the middle of the road and almost totals us.
We've still got to get home yet. Wish us luck.
Thursday 2nd December 2004
I KNOW!! ANOTHER ENTRY FOR TODAY!!!!
So dad found out what happened outside his place. This low loader lorry or something (possibly gypsys) came storming down, smashed into the fence across the street, totaled the clio, leaving it half on the curb and then scratched down at least one more car. And they didn't stop.
It's getting cold out now, proper winter cold. It's nice and warm at home though. That reminds me, i must tidy the place this weekend, i've just had no time at all recently.
It's friday again tomorrow already. Shit, it'll be christmas soon. I should get some cards and that.
Friday 3rd December 2004
Wow it was foggy this morning, had to de-ice my car as well.
Not sure what i'm up to over the weekend yet. Going out tonight for a couple of drinks, and might be going to see Chicago tomorrow night.
I've been so busy at work, i'm always knackered when i get home in the evening, but i'm going to go out tonight. I deserve a couple of drinks after the last couple of weeks!
We're trying to organise the xmas do here. Not sure what we're going to do, at the moment, some drinks and bowling is looking good. I'm still not in the xmas spirit though, just not getting it this year - i'm looking forward to spending it in Spain though!
Saturday 4th December 2004
Don't ask me how, seriously, i've got a bit of a hangover and somehow i've managed to make a new page on my site for my log. And it took less than an hour.
Had a good time last night, ended up doing a bit of a pub crawl of Aylesbury - gotta work with what ya got. I saw Sarah up town, i think i remember her saying she was driving. She should be moving into her new place soon.
Not sure what i'm up to today, might go watch the football down Dave's local. I'll bother Jen in a bit too, she had an exam yesterday and was out last night as well to drown her sorrows.
Sunday 5th December 2004
Bloody cars. I had an indicator out, my front offside. Had a look while i was round my dads, turns out the bulb holder is knacked so going to have to get one from a garage tomorrow. For now i've changed it over with the near side one, we figured the offside one was more important - for overtaking of course.
And the bonnet catch was pretty screwed up since my accident the other week too. But dad's genious fixed that one, not a bad yeehaw fix if you ask me.
Had a sunday roast dinner today, hadn't had a roast for ages! And any day where i don't have to cook for myself is a good day. Back to work tomorrow, got so much to do still and only 3 weeks till xmas. I still need to buy all my xmas cards... believe it or not, i couldn't find any decent online stores for xmas cards??? what's the world coming to - and by "the world" i mean, "the internet".
Monday 6th December 2004
How do all these people afford all the decorations they put on their houses? And i don't know if it's just me but, are they just saying "hey, look over here!! i've lots of spare cash, come rob my house! i'm stupid!!". I'm not being a scroodge or anything, but seeing the same ones everyday i can't see WHY!
It seems like only last week i was thinking how nice it was driving back from work in the daylight, now it's pitch black on the drive home. Least all my lights are working now. That reminds me, i was at the garage today getting the bulb holder, and on the way out this young guy - maybe around my age, maybe younger - a real chav, adidas (well, i think it had 4 stripes actually), trainers, cap, bling, the works, was taking this mg out for a test drive. This car was worth at least £30k. I figured drug dealer.
I've got dads birthday present now, just got to wrap it.
Tuesday 7th December 2004
God bless the M25. For all the hours that i've sat on her, moving at some speed my speedo can't register. And watching all the idiots switching lanes to try and get a couple of cars ahead. I've learnt from all the hours sat on motorways in traffic that the best plan is to pick a lane, and stick with it. If you switch, most likely you'll just look like an ass and end up worse off.
I'm reading this book Twisted, i can't remember who it's by (shocker), i'll have a look tonight. I never used to read much, but i tend to buy a book when i go on holiday, only last time i bought one on the way back so ended up reading before going to sleep most nights. It's sort of become a routine now, you know, check emails, check msn, get drink, toilet, read, sleep. Anyway, i finished the one i got at the airport and went and bought this one, only i suck at buying books and this is full of short stories. I put off starting it for a week or so but then thought "what the hell". Turns out it's really good, each of the stories (as the title suggests) has an awesome twist at the end. You start to try and guess what it'll be - so far i haven't got it right.
When Mom was over she was even shocked when she saw a book on my bookshelf, she probably would have fainted if she'd seen another book on my bedside cabinet.
Wednesday 8th December 2004
I got to work on time today!
I ache like a bastard today. I have a usual workout that i try and do everynight that i have time and i've started doing pressups again and my chest aches.
I had mom on the phone last night getting all excited, i'll be in Spain in two weeks. I am excited too, of course, i just didn't share her enthusiasm last night after sitting in traffic for so long yesterday. I didn't think it could get worse after yesterday morning, but last night they closed the M25 at junction 18 so i diverted up the M1 to get home. And i missed Holyoaks.
I think we've decided what we're doing here for our xmas do at work. It's going to be next Thursday, and we're all going to go into London and have a few drinks. Because we all live all over the place London is the best choice so that we can all get home. Should be a laugh, and should be fun at work the next day.
I'm still not in the christmas spirit, maybe after i try and get my xmas cards early saturday morning in town. Either i'll get in the spirit or punch someone in the face.
Thursday 9th December 2004
100,000 miles. That's what's on my speedo in my car now. Not all mine, i bought it on about 40,000 i think. I just do so many miles in it. Along with work now it's been to Great Yarmouth, Alton Towers a number of times, Nottingham a load of times, London, Hastings, Bognor - it's been about. I drive everywhere, i've never been one to use public transport, the only place i use buses or trains is in London.
I dreamt that mom had got a new car last night, a Golf TDI. It drove like crap though from what i remember. I also woke up about midnight, i must have been half asleep, i vaguely remember thinking there was a snake or something by the bed so went into the living room - then when i got in the living room i checked my emails, i think i must have woken up by then.
Friday 10th December 2004
It's friday again already. The weeks are flying by, only 15 days till xmas and i've only got 7 more days at work.
Chatting on msn last night with someone, and we realised that we never actually "speak" to each other. It's weird, but i now accept instant messaging as speaking. Considering a lot of my friends aren't in Aylesbury it's either call them and pay for the phone call or use msn to speak to them for free. Of course i could use Skype or some other VoIP program, but i'm still trying to feel ok about talking to my computer. I've seen some phone handsets which you can use with Skype, that might be alright.
There's something i want to write about on here, but having some idea about who reads this i'm going to save it for a later date. But I still think she'd look good in the angel costume i was thinking about 
Saturday 11th December 2004
I'm all ready for christmas now!! Not only have i put up my xmas "ShEx" heading and changed the countdown to countdown to christmas, but i've just been up town and gotten all my christmas cards!
I decided ages ago that i wouldn't be buying xmas presents this year, for anyone. Hopefully it'll just be like that this year, but if i had then i would have spent on my credit card and would still be paying it back after next xmas - you know it makes sense. I think everyone's alright with it, but they don't really have a choice, i can't afford to buy xmas presents. simple.
What money i do have left this month i'll need to change to euro's for going to Spain over xmas. We get paid about a week early this month, so it's a long time till the next payday.
Sunday 12th December 2004
I've got a feeling that i'm going to start feeling guilty about not having any presents to give this year. I guess it was to be expected, i sometimes feel guilty accepting presents anyway, it's even worse when i have nothing to give in return. But there's nothing i can do, and it'll all be over in a couple of weeks.
So far i've written one xmas card, it's probably the only card that i'm going to post this year. It probably also has the most written in it as well than any other card, but only because i don't talk to that person any more and there were a few things i wanted to say.
I never write letters. I've maybe written one or two since leaving school over 6 years ago now. The biggest reason is probably my handwriting, i'm always worried that whatever i write won't be able to be read - so i don't write. I can type about 10x faster than i can write, so wherever i can email rather than write, i do. Writing a few paragraphs in xmas card was not like me at all.
I don't like giving up on anything, i don't think i EVER give up on anything. I'm starting to wonder if that might be a bad thing. Some things change, and some don't. And whatever you think i'm talking about, you're completely wrong.
Monday 13th December 2004
Just got back from seeing Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason with Jenn. Not bad i suppose, obviously a bit of a chick flick but it was a bit funny. I usually have sweet popcorn at the cinema, but Jenny likes buttered - i'd never even tried it, i know - i was starving, so i ate most of it. Bloody sticky as hell though.
Jenny lives in the middle of no where, literally. On a farm in the middle of no where. It's a really nice place, massive house and they have a jacuzzi. There's a runway, horses, like a million rabbits running about.
I leave for Spain a week tomorrow! I am still sooo busy at work, but they're restructuring the network so it's really slowing us down - and that's not a good thing. Hopefully all our hard work will pay off, realistically, i think it could, guess we'll find out soon enough.
I'm going to have a wash, do the washing up, and then get some sleep. I'm knackered.
Tuesday 14th December 2004
Do you ever do that thing where you think to yourself, this time last ???? i was doing such and such. I was just thinking that 6 years ago i had just started working at a company called TMS on their helpdesk. Actually, i started in the warehouse, but within a couple of weeks they got short staffed and realised that i knew a few things about computers and knew DOS inside out - i was 16 then.
A year ago I was living at Steph's mom and dads while we were waiting for the apartment to be finished, Steph had just started her new job and just passed her driving test. I was just as busy at work as i am now, and infact, working on the same project.
This time 3 weeks ago I was in london with some of the 12stoners, after having an accident on the way down.
And finally this time last night i was in the cinema with Jennifer.
What got me thinking was getting my first christmas card through, from Mike. In his card he wrote that he couldn't believe we started working together 6 years ago. Thinking about it I actually keep in regular contact with a lot of people from TMS.
My little sister Sarah had an accident at school today. Not sure exactly what happened, something about a trophy case and a knock on the head. My Dad said she's got a bump on her head and was being sick, i guess maybe she's got concussion?
Dad's off tomorrow, it's his birthday. 41 again!
Wednesday 15th December 2004
I wrapped up dads birthday present last night, had the card written. This morning i put them both in a bag to take to my dads and put it by the door. On the way to work i was pleased with myself for remembering to put the washing machine on before i left home, that lasted about a second before i realised i'd left dads present at home. Stupid really, i should be used to forgetting things by now, it still gets a little frustrating. Luckily dad knows exactly what it's like and understood. It's surprising how many people just think that you can forget stuff on purpose.
I forget things all the time. When i used to live in a house, i'd go up stairs for something, get up there then think "what did i come up for?". I'd usually just end up going to the toilet and going back downstairs, THEN something downstairs would remind me what i went up for so i'd go get it.
I end up emailing myself from work sometimes to remind myself to do things when i get home, even little things like, check out a website. That actually just reminded me to check out a link i sent myself, another desktop search program. That was 2 days ago.
If someone could invent some memory upgrades for humans, that'd be great.
Thursday 16th December 2004
I'm not too bothered about people being spiteful to me, if they want to then that's their choice. But when people start messing with my friends and stirring up unneccasary trouble i get pissed off. And at christmas time as well, there is no need for it.
Talking of trouble, Sarah finally sorted out the bully at school that she's been having trouble with for years. All it takes is one person to stand up to the bully, and that's it. She had it coming too.
Our department at work took a half day today for our "xmas do". I say it like that because it wasn't really anything special, the plans we had made fell through due to people not being able to make it, so the few of us that were left went up the pub and i beat them at pool (as well as some of the pub locals) - i was unbeatable today!
Only two more days of work before i go away.
----- later -----
I just remembered something i wanted to write about. I got home this evening and the car park behind the other shops was packed. There was a service going on in the square, it was PACKED. The bandstand actually had a band on it and everyone was singing xmas carols. It almost got me in the spirit when i opened my balcony doors and had the singing coming in. Almost, i said.
Friday 17th December 2004
It's funny, after i wrote that entry yesterday i spoke to someone and my mood changed completely. Hopefully that crap will just blow over anyway, i'm not going to let it get to me.
It's very quite at work today, only 3 of us up here. It's a bit early to be braking out Duke Nukem 3D i guess...
I've got to clean and tidy my apartment over the weekend, i hate going away without having the place clean and tidy. And i've got to pack, i'll probably change some money at the airport tuesday, there is no way i'm going in to town the last weekend before xmas. I remember once queuing in tescos a few days before xmas for about an hour, the queues went all the way up the isles.
And did you see Frank Skinner last night?? i was creased up, his secret santa joke was pure genious.
"What if there really was a secret santa?....... Would his name be confidentiality claus?"
i don't care what anybody says, that shit is funny.
Saturday 18th December 2004
I've got quite a lot done today. I was planning on a late lay in this morning, but mom phoned. I've cleaned my apartment from top to bottom - kitchen and bathroom (moved everything out and cleaned floors and worktops), living room, bedroom and the hallway, all hoovered, dusted - CLEAN and TIDY!!
I admit, i wasn't that great at cleaning when i lived with someone. Things would never get disgusting - i just had no motivation. Now i have a place of my own i like to keep it in good shape. People are always surprised when they come round, a 22 year old, single guy, living on his own and the place is looked after. Damn right it's looked after, the amount of money i pay for this place i'm not letting it go down the pan!!
Got some work done today as well, didn't have too much to do but i'm going away in a couple of days so had to get it done.
Sunday 19th December 2004
i've worked my arse off this weekend, see yesterdays log for what i did saturday, and today i helped my dad out carpet fitting. We were fitting a small granny annex and the ceilings in both rooms were slanted both ways - one was a lot lower than the other - i must of bashed my head a dozen times, and i've got one big bump. And i'm covered in holes from the gripper as always and the sore thumb from the hammer - all in a days work.
I really need to be packing right now, and i will be once i'm done here. I also need to write the rest of my xmas cards, do the bit of washing up, have a bath and make sure i've got my passport.
It's gonna be frosty tomorrow i think, we've had clear skies all today, but it is bloody cold outside. It's going to feel much colder when i fly back from Spain.
Monday 20th December 2004
I was right. It was freezing this morning, only the front and one side of my car were iced up - i was parked close to the walls. I switched everything off in my apartment this morning except the fridge and left one heater on low.
Not long to go now, i'm almost going to feel bad about being off work with so much to do. But i think getting to Spain will probably shake that off. This time tomorrow i'll be there and i don't think work will be on my mind somehow.
I remembered to print the flight details off today as well, gave my dad a copy so that he knows when to pick me up next week. Last time i went to Spain i got confused about the day i was coming back, i've checked a few times and i'm sure i've got it right this time! When i get back all this christmas stuff will be over and things might start to go back to normal - might even be able to go into town on a saturday.
Still trying to decide what i'm going to do for new years. It's going to have to be a last minute thing, haven't got tickets for anything, but i'm not too bothered really - it happens every year. I don't understand the people that go out spending ££ on tickets and on limos and that crap. Maybe if it was your stag do, or a leaving school thing, you know, a once in a lifetime night out, but not for new year. One year i'd like to go down to london, i think i heard they're going to try and make the fireworks a bit more special over the Thames, maybe next year. Jen suggested just a pub, sat by a fire, i like the sound of that this year - we'll see.
Tuesday 21st December 2004
This keyboard is weird. It has a Ñ key, for example, and it took me a while to find out where the forward slash key is. It must have about a dozen more keys than i`m used to. So, i`m in Spain ok! and it`s hotter than i thought it was going to be, i`ve never been over here this time of year, apparantly December isn`t that cold here - the coldest months are feb/march.
The flight was alright, another plane came very close to us about half way through the flight. Really close, must have been less than a mile. I had breakfast on the plane too, €8!
I`ve never gotten through Malaga airport so fast, straight off the plane, through passport control, i got to baggage claim and as soon as i stood there i grabbed my bad. That`s never happened before!!
I had a little xmas last night with Dad and Tracy, opened my presents from them and from Barry - crap, i knew i had to do something, thank Barry and Danielle for their present and card.
Thursday 23rd December 2004
Beautiful morning this morning, the sun woke me up shining through the patio doors. I`m sleeping on the sofa because Gran`s got the spare room. We went up into the mountains today to Ronda, if you ever go to this part of Spain, you have to go to Ronda. It`s where the spanish inquisition started, and it`s deep in the mountains. I`ll have the photo`s up when i get back.
It was a bit chilly up there today, but it usually is. I bought a hand drawn picture in a shop, it`s number 104 of 250. We managed to find the street that it was drawn of by asking a postman, but it turned out that the steps that were in the drawing had been dug up and replace by more steps and a sort of driveway - i took a photo anyway.
I noticed just now that some of the characters that i`m typing on this keyboard aren`t showing up properly, i`ll sort it out when i get back home next week.
Yesterday we went to one of the shopping centres and i found a watch that i like. I`m very picky with watches, i`ve had this one for about 3 or 4 years i think and i`ve been looking for a new one for ages. I`ll see monday if i`ve still got enough money left to buy it.
Friday 24th December 2004
I am knackered. I`ve got tons of photos to put up when i get home now, we went to El Chorro today and walked hundreds of miles... well, miles. We were looking for a bridge, the bridge spans across a ravine, is about a metre wide, is 250 feet above the ground and has no hand railings. We went in completely the wrong direction first of all and had a few walks up and down the mountainside. We then walked along a railway, through half a dozen tunnels and found this bridge - you`ll have to see the photos to believe what it looks like. To make it worse it`s crumbling away and you can see the ironwork on either side of it holding it up.
After the bridge we throught we`d walk a bit further up, but the tunnel we went into went on forever. It was pitch black and the only torch we had was the torch on my phone. A train past us in the tunnel, i actually managed to snap a good picture of it as it went past - watch this space.
We`re all aching now and i am starving. I can`t believe it`s xmas eve today, didn`t think i`d ever spend xmas eve up the mountians in Spain.
If i don`t get on here tomorrow, HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!
Sunday 26th December 2004
Yesterday we went to a restaurant up "the strip" for xmas dinner. We were all stuffed, i had a few drinks - i don`t think i`ve ever been able to have a drink at xmas, usually driving. The owner is a singer as well, so him and his old man sang some songs. We had crackers, hats (not that any of us wore them), only odd thing was the sun shining outside. I took a few pictures yesterday as well, the battery`s about dead on my camera now.
Today we went to a couple of shopping places, but i am so tired today i couldn`t really buy anything. I had a nap this afternoon and am starving now. Hopefully we`ll be able to go back to the shops tomorrow, i`ve got one present that i`d like to take back for someone.
The weather last week said that it was supposed to be raining here today, it`s not that warm today, but there`s bright blue skies! And they really put some rubbish on tv on Boxing Day.
Wednesday 29th December 2004
Ok, i'm back.
I was very tempted to stay for longer over there, just book these 3 days off work and have another week there. But Gran was very ready to come back and i wouldn't have her fly back on her own 
I had a brilliant time, it was a nice change to spend xmas away. I've just got to sort out what i'm doing for new years now, i'll find out what people are doing today and try and make my mind up.
After sleeping on a sofa for a week i ended up falling asleep on my sofa last night til about 3 when i woke up and crawled into bed. Problem with sleeping on the sofa over there is i don't get a lay in, which i did have today!
I don't think next year's going to be as simple as i'd of liked it to be - after what this year has brought. I never really get stressed, i refuse to get worked up about stuff - shit happens. So next year might be fun trying to cope with things. I was sat up last night thinking about what i'd like to do next year. I know we're going to be very busy at work and if things take off then i won't get a chance to think about doing anything - but, if it doesn't take off then i might have some plans that would surprise a few people - but it would be really exciting and i think everyone would be behind me.
The television was pretty crap over xmas. Mostly watched the news, which was taken up by the huge earthquake in SE Asia. Unbelievable, some the of the images and videos they had on. One guy who was in the sea at the time actually saw the sea bed where the water had rushed onto the land. It's devastating the damage it has caused and the millions of peoples lives it has affected. I haven't seen the news today but i guess the numbers have gone up. My thoughts and wishes are with anyone who has friends or family out there.
Here's the photos from last week - Xmas 2004
Thursday 30th December 2004
Things never turn out the way you expect. It doesn't take long to learn that! But, every now and then you still expect certain things to turn out right - and when they unexpectedly don't, it usually hits you pretty hard. I know i always skate around actual goings on here, but unfortunately everybody knows my online alias and my website so stating events would most likely cause rumours and speculation - ha, what's happened to the internet?!?
I spent today helping my Dad and Uncle Mick to strip down and start to build back up again my Dad's living room. It needed doing, didn't it? and it's looking tons better already. I'm at work tomorrow, hopefully they'll let us go a little early, it being new years eve and all. I won't have a lot to do anyway, we're only in to cover support and apart from answering the phone i'm not a lot of use. Duke Nukem 3D it is then.
I'm not looking forward to getting up early tomorrow...
Friday 31st December 2004
So i'm at work for the last time this year... just watching the hours go by really. Finally made plans last night for tonight. Also bumped into my old step sister, hadn't seen her for a couple of years - turns out she's probably going to be in the same pub as me tonight.
And it's the end of 2004! This year has flown by, so much has happened. At the beginning of the year i was engaged and buying a new apartment with my fiance, and at the end i'm happy and single, living in my new apartment for almost a year. I guess i've learnt a lot this year, especially about how people can change. I lost my best friend this year, but i've gained so many friends because of it and they have helped me through the bad times and given me lots of good times. My family's been a huge part of this year as well, i don't think i would have survived the start of this year without their support and good advice.
I thought i'd have a lot to write about this year, but the things i would have written about 6 months ago don't matter any more. Now we're at the end of the year, i can say that this year has been a good one - started off a bit rough, but things only got better.
Happy New Year Everyone
