Friday, 29 September 2017

2017 PART THIRTY NINE 23/09 -- 29/09 Farewell Wolters Kluwer

Not a good start to this week, it's the final week working for Wolters Kluwer although we are just moving up a floor and being renamed to Croner-i Limited so no real big changes initially. People are staying, or thinking of leaving, personally I will stay put until we know if/when we are moving building and see where that takes me. In the short term I have other worries and work is just a distraction.

Was unable to do the Parkrun 5km that I enjoyed so much last weekend, sore foot, very stiff limbs and struggling to walk properly, so skipped it and will try again in a couple of weeks time. In the meantime same old issues with money, done it all for this month so it's another long struggle. The Dons lost 2-0 to the MK club stealing bastards last night and although I intended to enjoy the NFL Game on Sunday it's not live and will catch what I can. Managed to find a stream supplied by NFL.com and enjoyed some success with the Jacksonville Jaguars winning 44-7 against the Baltimore Ravens. 

Monday came into the office post move, unpacked, and tried to have a good week. Then on the weekend we will move to the new company, so I shall be working on this coming Sunday and hopefully there will be no drama. Overall not the best of weeks again, and the coming month is going to be difficult to get my mind focused, though I should just about get by it's not going to be easy. 

Vary your routine.
Fitness experts recommend that you vary your routine to get the maximum benefits from exercise, alternating cardiovascular and strength training exercises to avoid boredom and muscle injury. 

It’s a good idea to vary your routine in other areas of your life as well.
• Try new foods, visit new places and meet new people.
• Change everyday routines.
• Take on a new challenge at work.
• Pick up on an old hobby.
• Try and learn something new, a language, or skill. 
 -- I've recently tried to learn some British Sign Language (https://www.british-sign.co.uk/).


Friday, 22 September 2017

2017 PART THIRTY EIGHT 16/09 -- 22/09 [1st ParkRun]

Ok get through this week and paid plus office move to 2nd floor. At least still employed and it's been a good week in many ways which is about time. First of all, Saturday morning I was up bright and early and went off to complete my first official Park Run. (https://www.parkrun.com)

Was a great start to the day, was initially a little apprehensive about it and whether I would struggle cos I am that unfit, but I DID do it and felt great afterwards although a little dizzy but that might be the lack of fitness and needing to dehydrate too. Feel wonderful, it's a small thing for some people who do it every week but for me it was something I wanted to do, prove to myself that I can do it and set a goal to do it again.















Bumped into a good friend Alison on the way back as I stopped off in Tesco to pick up some supplies. Nice to see her and we should sort out a night out or something so will contact Julia once she has her first week of new job out of the way. 

Then a surprise, I received an email to tell me that I had won 3rd prize in the Dons Draw run by AFC Wimbledon. This is the first time I ever won anything or even got close which was nice as I have been paying into it for fifteen years. The £250 isn't exactly a lotto win but it will certainly help me through next month while the changeover at work takes place. Before too long we will realise Christmas is on the way, apparently it's less than 100 days now, while it's not been my favourite time of year I intend to try a bit harder to get through it, and maybe even enjoy it if I can. Buying a couple of things for myself will be most welcome, am in the market for a new iPad style tablet device as my old one gave up the other week. Either that or a new phone as I use rather older models but slightly reluctant to spend tons on that as I hardly use them. 



We are also organising a night out on 1 December with old school friends which is usually a good night out so I shall try and have Friday off to go enjoy the entire day. 


Friday, 15 September 2017

2017 PART THIRTY SEVEN 09/09 -- 15/09

Still struggling mentally with the next month ahead, I have to look at the positive situation that I still seem to have a job, still have a roof over my head, still got enough to get by and it's the smaller things that worry me like having no company or support and the inability to even go out and see friends as the money isn't there and neither is the confidence to be ok. 

This week I am still off on Monday and Tuesday, but with no money and not really sure where to go or what to do. Have already been down to the Crematorium gardens last week and really want something different. If the weather isn't too foul it'll be Richmond and the riverside. Other than this it's going to be a quiet week for me, don't seem to have a future until end October really and that's on the assumption that I've still got a job and can sort out some money to get through. At this point in time that's a big IF.

Although I am very honest about my failings and given that I used to drink far too much than is healthy at least for the last year or so I have been virtually alcohol free. This is mostly self imposed as I've not been out anywhere nor having friends close by to go out and meet up with. But also at home while there is booze available, it is mostly untouched. When upset or angry I don't turn to drink anymore as demonstrated by the half full bottle of 12yo malt whisky that must have been there for well over a year now and the last beers I can recall buying were 2% citrus lagers and to be frank they still taste ok and I'm not going to be knocking back 8-10 of them as I used to do with pints of Stella Artois on a night out. 

Know the signs of problem drinking.
Problem drinking can begin early or late in life and doesn't just involve going to the pub each weekend, most people wouldn't see these as a problem. 

The signs of problem drinking include:
• Drinking to calm your nerves, forget your worries or reduce depression.
• Inability to stop drinking without a struggle after one or two drinks.
• Lying about or trying to hide drinking habits.
• Drinking alone.
• Having medical, social, work, financial or legal problems caused by drinking.

If you think you may have a drinking problem, seek help.
Talk to your doctor, LifeWorks, or contact a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous.

Friday, 8 September 2017

2017 PART THIRTY SIX 02/09 -- 08/09

Another week over and a new one just begun to kind of murder a John Lennon lyric and it's been another hectic weekend of worry, strife and not much sleep. Praying that will change with the next few weeks being truncated by holidays from work even though sadly am not going away anywhere now. First few days are chilling out watching the F1 Grand Prix from Italy and then seeing if AFC Wimbledon can pick up some points away at Blackpool (sadly lost 1-0 and had a player sent off, struggle for away form this season). 

Have some days off from Thursday through to next week and although I am no longer going away as originally planned will make the most of the days off and go somewhere to enjoy a little peace and quiet. 


Usually a good idea to get down by the riverside so Richmond or Hampton Court will be part of the plan, plus usual trips to the Crematorium and who knows what else? Weather seems ok so just make sure you are not moping about at home.

At least we got through Monday and Tuesday despite chaos on the trains and still problems on the roads. Work is still not great with a lot of uncertainty. Away from that I did enjoy the England Football match on Monday which was more open than the 4-0 win over Malta was last week, going a goal down within 3 mins made it so but they did recover to win 2-1 and almost guarantee qualification to Russia next year. With a bit of luck we'll also see the two Irish sides, plus Wales and maybe even Scotland which would show how good the game is here in Britain, so come on you jocks, get those wins and bring your Tartan Army too.

Get through to Friday, have your time off, go out and enjoy find some peace and quiet if you can.

Friday, 1 September 2017

2017 PART THIRTY FIVE 26/08 -- 01/09

Lovely sunny days to kick this week off, having been out to a funeral at the end of last week was in a slightly sombre mood but the sunshine and good news that began to filter through helps the week go by. Saturday was another open day at the Hillingdon Railway Modellers, enjoy these days giving some of Dads trains a bit of a run out. 



The it was down to catch some football, with AFC Wimbledon playing at home to Doncaster, and what a game .... dull 0-0 at half time barely a shot to speak about then what a difference in the second half with two quick goals sending the Dons to a 2-0 win and three important points so now everyone can breathe once more.



Sunday was the usual quiet day, watching the F1 Belgium Grand Prix and then seeing what the rest of the week might have in store. Alas it was to prove another bad day, and as a direct result we find that we have had to cancel a planned weekend away to Hastings due to lack of funds. What I will be doing with the six days I will then have off work is anyone's guess, it will now have to be days out locally for no money using my Oyster card and with just a few quid for lunches. Early thoughts lean towards days to the Crematorium and riverside venues such as Richmond and Hampton Court. Making me sad but ultimately caused by my inability to stop haemorrhaging money left right and centre. 

A quiet Bank Holiday Monday though I did get out and pick up a few things locally, birthday cards for friends children and bit of lunch. It's a small thing but one of the few positives I can say about myself is that I DO remember birthdays and no matter if I see people or not I still send cards and for the younger children a little birthday money. In an age where people just say "hi" on facebook when prompted I feel it's important to still do something a little more personal. 

The rest of the week back to work, try and fight through September and look again at next week and what I might be able to do with the few days off. Any thoughts?