Things were going so well, up for work, breakfast eaten, bait made and in my work bag! Pauline asks me to get the wheelie bin in as the 'men' had been. Garage door opens, wheelie bin pushed into it's place, arms up to shut the garage door and 'AARRRGGGGHHHHH!' someone just stabbed me with a red hot knife just under my right shoulder blade! It felt just like something had 'snapped' and boy did it hurt! Still sore today but I'm coping (cuz I'm a man!... lol)
Finally got the hang of this 'converting' thing for the Apple TV, I just need to find the time to 'do' all the DVDs now, must register for the free trials we have too, that way I can update the movie collection a bit. Watched The Green Lantern the other night, good story line and special effects but too much time spent on the 'love' part.
Received a lovely 'thank you' card from Thom and Izzy for their Xmas presents, glad they liked them.
Wages department at work are being a right pain in 2012, I've got to go and see the Depot Controller AGAIN this week, next weeks pay is short for the 3rd time this year and it's only three weeks (well it will be by Thursday) old.
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Happy New Year!
Well here it is! 2012! Holiday now over it's back to work to the news of fare increases, new duties(for the 3rd time in 6 months) and new routes to learn. Luckily the new routes are variations on ones we already do, so it won't be that hard to learn. The New Year celebrations were a very quiet affair this year, very little alcohol was consumed along with a small pizza and some freshly cooked 'pickies' from Asda.
I've seen a notice in work about managerial/supervisory vacancies on offer in Malta (contract lasts until 2021) that I'd like to have tried for but the closing date was 30th Dec, I'm going to send in my CV in anyway, you never know! A placement out there would suit me nicely up to retirement and with good connections to Newcastle Airport it's only a couple of hours away. I'm sure Pauline would love to have me out the way for eight weeks or so at a time. She'll be able to have the bed all to herself again, like she was used to when I worked at the airport. Apart from that, the money would be great (and the weather) if it's anything like our drivers are getting paid that are out there on secondment.
Found out when I can take some of the holidays I have left, end of Jan and mid-March. For some strange reason they were going to pay me the new starter rate instead of the rate I've been on for the last month. According to the Depot Controller it's down to the software they use, he has to be very careful when putting some info in as it sometimes wipes other info. Still it should be sorted by the time it gets banked on Weds night.
I've seen a notice in work about managerial/supervisory vacancies on offer in Malta (contract lasts until 2021) that I'd like to have tried for but the closing date was 30th Dec, I'm going to send in my CV in anyway, you never know! A placement out there would suit me nicely up to retirement and with good connections to Newcastle Airport it's only a couple of hours away. I'm sure Pauline would love to have me out the way for eight weeks or so at a time. She'll be able to have the bed all to herself again, like she was used to when I worked at the airport. Apart from that, the money would be great (and the weather) if it's anything like our drivers are getting paid that are out there on secondment.
Found out when I can take some of the holidays I have left, end of Jan and mid-March. For some strange reason they were going to pay me the new starter rate instead of the rate I've been on for the last month. According to the Depot Controller it's down to the software they use, he has to be very careful when putting some info in as it sometimes wipes other info. Still it should be sorted by the time it gets banked on Weds night.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Roll on next year!
Here we are December 29th 2011, seasonal celebrations are almost over, surprisingly I've been very cheerful this year. Had some great news when I visited the doctor's yesterday, my bp which was an average 148/88 has dropped to 122/87 which almost had the Practice Primary Care Nurse dancing around the room. She was the one that I saw last year to have my op wound dressed and the one that started me on the 'Well Man' program back in February. It was the first time she'd seen me since then, she said she didn't remember me until I mentioned my broken arm and was it really 18 months ago? Of course this prompted her to go back through my file, "am I really pleased with myself for losing all that weight? am I doing plenty of exercise?" Felt like shouting back "Of course I am you silly woman! Why do you think I'm still doing the diet thingy?"
Managed to get the Apple TV up and running after trying to move it to another pc and messing things up (thanks for the help Bristol IT section leader :-) ) Pauline is getting used to her iPad2, finding some of the apps very useful! Can't figure out yet why Pauline can't watch the films on her iPad but we'll get there.
Managed to get the Apple TV up and running after trying to move it to another pc and messing things up (thanks for the help Bristol IT section leader :-) ) Pauline is getting used to her iPad2, finding some of the apps very useful! Can't figure out yet why Pauline can't watch the films on her iPad but we'll get there.
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Well worth the visit!
Last weekend I made my annual Christmas trek down to Bristol with the presents, it was great seeing everybody again especially nice to see how well the grand children are progressing. Had a consultation with the local freelance Apple Inc. technician, most fruitful as I have purchased Apple TV2 and a 2Tb external hard drive, had a few pointers on how to manage it, most enlightening. Managed to get lots of 'free' films during the stay and TV programmes too. As usual though the visit wasn't anywhere near long enough.
Had the old heartstrings pulled a bit on the Sunday before coming home, asked Thomas if he wanted to see Gran next time I came down and I got an answer I wasn't expecting.... " I want to see Pop and Gran Monday Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday all the time!"
I think at the ripe old age of nearly thirty two Kris has decided he's too old for motor cycling in cold weather, it's far too cold for his bones to stand. Bit of a relief in some ways with how much at risk motor cyclists are without the added dangers of icy roads and so on. My Dad was a motor cyclist, I can remember the anguish my Mum went through when he had his accident on black ice in 1963(a really bad year, we had snow right from December through until March) we didn't know what had happened, only that he was very late getting home from work. Sadly the injuries he received although only minor at the time caused problems that eventually killed him at the age of fifty one in 1973.
Going out for a Christmas drink with some mates from the airport on Tuesday night straight from work, we'll also be celebrating the fact that Mandy (my 'work daughter', I'll tell you the story behind that title when I see you, if you want to know) has like me, finally managed to find another job, working for DB Regio.
Looking forward to Christmas and some more visits to Bristol in 2012!
Had the old heartstrings pulled a bit on the Sunday before coming home, asked Thomas if he wanted to see Gran next time I came down and I got an answer I wasn't expecting.... " I want to see Pop and Gran Monday Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday all the time!"
I think at the ripe old age of nearly thirty two Kris has decided he's too old for motor cycling in cold weather, it's far too cold for his bones to stand. Bit of a relief in some ways with how much at risk motor cyclists are without the added dangers of icy roads and so on. My Dad was a motor cyclist, I can remember the anguish my Mum went through when he had his accident on black ice in 1963(a really bad year, we had snow right from December through until March) we didn't know what had happened, only that he was very late getting home from work. Sadly the injuries he received although only minor at the time caused problems that eventually killed him at the age of fifty one in 1973.
Going out for a Christmas drink with some mates from the airport on Tuesday night straight from work, we'll also be celebrating the fact that Mandy (my 'work daughter', I'll tell you the story behind that title when I see you, if you want to know) has like me, finally managed to find another job, working for DB Regio.
Looking forward to Christmas and some more visits to Bristol in 2012!
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Nothing in particular!
Sitting here at the laptop feeling really bored, naff all on the television apart from repeated repeats. Been in the house on my own since getting in from work at 13:00. Pauline is working 18:00-22:00 but left early to go and see her mate to give her the card and present she bought for her birthday on Sunday. Been a bit 'up & down' the last couple of days, I think I've got a cold coming my way, been feeling pretty tired too.
Thinking of changing my gym membership to a casual basis as I can't get there often enough to make the unlimited membership worth paying for with the new shift pattern at work. Finally booked the hotel for my next visit to Bristol on 10th December, just need to remember to tell Paul in work I won't be available for overtime that weekend. Glad to say I've got Xmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day off this year, including early finishes(between 18 & 19:00) on the 'eves' if I'm on late shift.
Thinking of changing my gym membership to a casual basis as I can't get there often enough to make the unlimited membership worth paying for with the new shift pattern at work. Finally booked the hotel for my next visit to Bristol on 10th December, just need to remember to tell Paul in work I won't be available for overtime that weekend. Glad to say I've got Xmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day off this year, including early finishes(between 18 & 19:00) on the 'eves' if I'm on late shift.
Monday, 14 November 2011
Stranger things have happened
It's been a week since my birthday and I'm still feeling pleased with the cards I received, I didn't get one from a couple of people that I normally do but that's life! I had ones from the people that are important to me and that's what counts. A big surprise is that for some reason I'm actually looking forward to Xmas this year (stop cheering Pauline!), maybe it's because things are going well generally and I'm enjoying my life again, I don't know! Yep! 2011 has been a year of good changes for me, long may it continue!
I can't believe it's almost six months since I started for Arriva, that's got to be a good sign, yes I still have a little moan about certain aspects of the job (doesn't everybody?) but in general I'm really enjoying it. Everybody treats me like I've been there for years now, most know my christian name if not my full one.
I need to book the hotel later this week, for my visit to Bristol next month. It will be another flying visit I'm afraid, but at least I'm getting there again this year. I've also made contact with a couple of old friends from years ago and they want to meet up, I don't know if there is time in this visit. I've still got twelve days holiday to fit in before the end of March, so that will mean another visit to Bristol in the early part of next year, hopefully we can meet up then!
I can't believe it's almost six months since I started for Arriva, that's got to be a good sign, yes I still have a little moan about certain aspects of the job (doesn't everybody?) but in general I'm really enjoying it. Everybody treats me like I've been there for years now, most know my christian name if not my full one.
I need to book the hotel later this week, for my visit to Bristol next month. It will be another flying visit I'm afraid, but at least I'm getting there again this year. I've also made contact with a couple of old friends from years ago and they want to meet up, I don't know if there is time in this visit. I've still got twelve days holiday to fit in before the end of March, so that will mean another visit to Bristol in the early part of next year, hopefully we can meet up then!
Friday, 4 November 2011
Back into the groove!
After two weeks of not being able to get the gym due to work finish times and feeling under the weather, I've just done two days in a row, what a killer! I was going again tomorrow but I could leave it until Monday as I'm doing overtime tomorrow but off on Monday.Work is going fine, really enjoying being back 'on the road' more than I expected, even working the extra days a week and more hours isn't dragging me down as I expected.
The diet is still going, amazed I'm not fed up doing it though! Not sure how much more I've lost but I'll find out Monday when I go to Weight Watchers again to be presented with my 50lb weight loss certificate, they know it's my birthday too thanks to Pauline, hope they don't sing 'Happy Birthday!' too embarrassing. One ex colleague of mine who started working for Arriva last week, had a heart attack yesterday so that's his new job and his PCV license out the window.
The Micra has to have an MOT on Monday, after the new washer jets (the old ones are blocked solid with khack from the bottom of the washer bottle) and drivers door window clips have been fitted, should pass no problem as it's done less than three thousand miles since the last one. I was surprised to find my road tax had stayed the same and the Micra's had only gone up a fiver. The expensive thing now is insurance, saying that, I've been offered a three year deal on mine at £369.00 p.a including NCP, legal, courtesy car and windscreen cover with ZERO voluntary and £150.00 compulsory excesses.
Can't wait for next month when I'm off to Bristol again to deliver the Xmas pressies, I will have to ask for plenty of photos when the grand kids open theirs this year, I think they will like them, shame I can only make it a two day stay mid-month. Another two week break in postings, hmmm I can see I need to do this more often too!
The diet is still going, amazed I'm not fed up doing it though! Not sure how much more I've lost but I'll find out Monday when I go to Weight Watchers again to be presented with my 50lb weight loss certificate, they know it's my birthday too thanks to Pauline, hope they don't sing 'Happy Birthday!' too embarrassing. One ex colleague of mine who started working for Arriva last week, had a heart attack yesterday so that's his new job and his PCV license out the window.
The Micra has to have an MOT on Monday, after the new washer jets (the old ones are blocked solid with khack from the bottom of the washer bottle) and drivers door window clips have been fitted, should pass no problem as it's done less than three thousand miles since the last one. I was surprised to find my road tax had stayed the same and the Micra's had only gone up a fiver. The expensive thing now is insurance, saying that, I've been offered a three year deal on mine at £369.00 p.a including NCP, legal, courtesy car and windscreen cover with ZERO voluntary and £150.00 compulsory excesses.
Can't wait for next month when I'm off to Bristol again to deliver the Xmas pressies, I will have to ask for plenty of photos when the grand kids open theirs this year, I think they will like them, shame I can only make it a two day stay mid-month. Another two week break in postings, hmmm I can see I need to do this more often too!
Monday, 17 October 2011
Reallity? who needs it?..... I'm far too knacked!
Well I've been back from Bristol for two weeks now and I must say I'm totally knackered! Been trying to get back into the diet and gym routine but I'm not being very successful, though I have now officially lost fifty pounds after I attended our Weight Watchers meeting with Pauline last Monday(that's after putting a FEW pounds on whilst in Bristol) I'm looking forward to my next trip 'down south' which is around mid December. We have sorted/ordered most of the pressies we'll be getting for the grandchildren this year, I think they will like them!
I've been working rather hard since going back to work, it's getting busier day by day in Newcastle city centre. Just worked twenty hours overtime Saturday and Sunday and looking forward to having tomorrow (Tuesday) off. Sunday should have been a nice 17:30 until 23:30 shift but I got a call at 13:00 asking me to start at 14:07! not even time for Sunday lunch! Luckily I've got a six hour shift tonight so I could be feeling better by Wednesday.
Managed to get myself a shoulder pulley on line for a shade over £8. It was postage free and was supposed to take 7-10 working days to arrive, it came two days later which is great! So now to add to my busy schedule I have to sit and do my shoulder exercises but I have to admit I can feel a difference in my range of free movement already.
Something has just entered my pea like brain which totally contradicts what I typed earlier in this piece and that is how good I'm feeling since losing the weight, it's because I'm sat here with a dressing gown on that used to barely fit me and now looks huge on me, well what a bummer! I now need to contact the Doctor's surgery and make an appointment to get my blood tests re-done some time soon too.
I've been working rather hard since going back to work, it's getting busier day by day in Newcastle city centre. Just worked twenty hours overtime Saturday and Sunday and looking forward to having tomorrow (Tuesday) off. Sunday should have been a nice 17:30 until 23:30 shift but I got a call at 13:00 asking me to start at 14:07! not even time for Sunday lunch! Luckily I've got a six hour shift tonight so I could be feeling better by Wednesday.
Managed to get myself a shoulder pulley on line for a shade over £8. It was postage free and was supposed to take 7-10 working days to arrive, it came two days later which is great! So now to add to my busy schedule I have to sit and do my shoulder exercises but I have to admit I can feel a difference in my range of free movement already.
Something has just entered my pea like brain which totally contradicts what I typed earlier in this piece and that is how good I'm feeling since losing the weight, it's because I'm sat here with a dressing gown on that used to barely fit me and now looks huge on me, well what a bummer! I now need to contact the Doctor's surgery and make an appointment to get my blood tests re-done some time soon too.
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
I forgot to.....
I forgot to say yesterday the weather was absolutely fantastic 21-24 degrees everyday, plus after a weigh in this morning I've only put on a couple of pounds which is great, soon get that off with a session at the gym later.
The journey home was good too, not too much traffic and the weather was still good, only passed through one tiny bit of rain that barely wetted the windscreen. The car performed great, we used just under half a tank of fuel coming home, average 77.8 mpg, and just over six hours travelling but that was with two stops of over half an hour each.
The journey home was good too, not too much traffic and the weather was still good, only passed through one tiny bit of rain that barely wetted the windscreen. The car performed great, we used just under half a tank of fuel coming home, average 77.8 mpg, and just over six hours travelling but that was with two stops of over half an hour each.
Monday, 3 October 2011
Home again................
Back home again in Sunderland after what seems like a 'whirlwind' visit to Bristol to see family. Everyone seemed in good spirits and content. Thomas has started school and has made plenty of friends, as we missed his birthday in July we took him to 'The Entertainer' toy shop just outside the Galleries Shopping Centre and bought him some new trains for his Thomas The Tank Engine wooden train set. I think he was very pleased with what he had as he took them to bed with him the same night. Isabel is getting along nicely, her speech is wonderful and she appears to have a very logical mind. Noah's speech like Isabel's is great and he's very bright too!
Pauline finally got to see a lot more of Bath, though I did find the 'open top' bus tours a bit disappointing, she also got to visit Cheddar Gorge again. We had a nice surprise when we went to pay the hotel bill too. We originally booked a five night stay which would have cost us £305.00 but about a fortnight ago I had an e mail from Brains Brewery with a special 'book a night get a night free' deal for September. I naturally cancelled the booking I had and rebooked starting a day earlier. Anyway I went to the reception this morning expecting to pay £305.00 as one night was free but hoping it would only be around £250.00 (2 nights at full price in Sept so 2 free nights allowed) only to be given a bill for just over £200.00. The manager had given us 3 nights free as the offer had been repeated for October, so that money has paid the diesel bill.
We did go to The Bear pub in Hotwells last night hoping to bump into an old mate of mine but there was no sign of him so we went to Ashton Gate and gobbled down some KFC, it was lovely I am now waiting to see when I can arrange my next visit, hopefully before or around Xmas.
Pauline finally got to see a lot more of Bath, though I did find the 'open top' bus tours a bit disappointing, she also got to visit Cheddar Gorge again. We had a nice surprise when we went to pay the hotel bill too. We originally booked a five night stay which would have cost us £305.00 but about a fortnight ago I had an e mail from Brains Brewery with a special 'book a night get a night free' deal for September. I naturally cancelled the booking I had and rebooked starting a day earlier. Anyway I went to the reception this morning expecting to pay £305.00 as one night was free but hoping it would only be around £250.00 (2 nights at full price in Sept so 2 free nights allowed) only to be given a bill for just over £200.00. The manager had given us 3 nights free as the offer had been repeated for October, so that money has paid the diesel bill.
We did go to The Bear pub in Hotwells last night hoping to bump into an old mate of mine but there was no sign of him so we went to Ashton Gate and gobbled down some KFC, it was lovely I am now waiting to see when I can arrange my next visit, hopefully before or around Xmas.
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