2018 DIARY WEEK FOUR 22/01 -- 28/01

Early part of the week saw the usual apprehension of what is coming and just trying to get by, just when I thought I am getting by alright I get a couple of knock backs from work and the bank who will be upping my charges which is bad. I now really need to up my game to make some leaps forward to improve my life. Hopefully as the week progresses we can look forward to being paid for January and can sort some bills out too. Spend the evening last Sunday night following the progress of the NFL Championship games to see who makes it to this years Superbowl LII in a fortnight from now -- well done to New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles making it to Minnesota. 

Back to the office Monday where we just want to pass the time, not get too distressed and chill out in the evenings. Found out that one of my colleagues Jenny is expecting her second child which is great news for them but means we'll lose her for another period of time and not even sure if she'll be back as I can't see her wanting the stress and hassle of moving to London with two small children to care for. Good luck Jenny you deserve the best. 

Paid Thursday, so able to sort out few things, then see if we can get out on the weekend, at the moment making plans and executing them is not my strong suit. Having to find extra £100 a month just to cover extra bank fees, plus already having to fork out more for the travel and now they want me in a suit. Heaven help me now unless things start to change or am I just over thinking this as bad when the reality is we simply don't know yet. Plans to go out for lunch next Tuesday hopefully we can do that.

2018 DIARY WEEK THREE 15/01 -- 21/01

This was always going to be a quiet and difficult week as am down to my last few quid to survive this week and in fact not paid till the following Thursday. Think it will be ok, as long as we change things in the next month, and with the expectation that a move to London is at least another month away that will help. Have booked up some days off for the future, mostly days in April/May for my birthday and my brother Graham's too and as I don't think I need much time out before then but of course I need to put some funds aside too for this. 

Monday, bored but got through it, 10 weeks of roadworks ahead as they begin changes to the approach and bridges near Feltham Station and that's going to be a pain based on the first day of things, not what I need on top of all the other stresses I've brought on myself but we keep moving on. Tuesday and Wednesday were better in the mornings but that was helped by the fact that I was up earlier and on an earlier bus service. Coming home in the evenings was still terrible though sadly, and do not feel like going out on the weekends now either which is not a problem for this week as I've no money and enough in to survive for now but in future weeks I fear being delayed, although time will tell seems to work out better if I stop a bit later at work and leave then so might see about doing few things in Kingston instead of coming straight home after next week since I'll have been paid.


Got to the end of the week in one piece, and this weekend was peaceful writing, listening to music and planning the future. 

2018 DIARY WEEK TWO 08/01 -- 14/01

Second week of the year complete, and life just getting worse. How I make it through the next week is one thing, but I've got about six weeks of this until I can be back on my plan for the year. Please Martin, get it done, be safe, be happy. Think I worried some people lately with my comments but that is just me being honest really. Appreciate some of the kindness shown to me, it will help in time, I must survive the coming weeks and set out a plan of action. 

Found out that there is no free tickets for Ascot this year on my birthday so that will be £15 a head this time around. As I write this I don't believe I will be able to go to Cheltenham with Graham and Bob so April/May looks like my first week off of the year, and have written down some plans for the year where I have plenty of people and places I would 'like' to visit but I said this last year and did none of them, so I beg myself to please try. 

Some better news midweek in that the office move is unlikely to be before end of February which gives us a little leeway in next month pay to recover my position. Have also had a short chat with Cathy (my boss) about individually assessing the payment difference in travel costs and my justification for any pay rise to cover that. I feel I have made a case for that and in the last few years always made the effort to be in, do extra work without pay and keep morale up. We will see if anything comes from that although usual pay reviews would be due about March and something would at least help. 

Speaking to Lee and Joanne about possibly going to see them in Ringwood, that would be nice, when I can afford it, maybe have a Monday off and do a weekend. Anyway the end of the week seems to be going a bit better than it began which is nice, long may that continue. 

2018 DIARY WEEK ONE 01/01 -- 07/01

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Welcome to 2018, hope it's going to be an excellent one for everyone. My first entry for this year having survived the Christmas and New Year (just about). 

Saw in the New Year at home but was busy listening to the excellent music from Nile Rodgers and Chic on TV then the firework extravaganza. I also update some pages on Facebook for my friend Steffi and that seems to help the mood. Was a bit worried I was behind money wise but fluke a decent win on the NFL games and withdrew that so just about ok as we stand now. 

Back to the joys of work this week too, trying to get up early after a week of leisure was difficult but managed it. First few days in the office still fairly quiet although more people announcing they are leaving this month. Trains on strike next week won't be much fun but overall we start the year trying to be positive.  

Week one done, will have to see about setting some goals for the coming months, and something I can measure against similar to last year.