Well, it's already begun! As I type, Santa is delivering presents to all the good boys and girls of the Solomon Islands. (This information is being brought to you courtesy of Norad Santa; the only way to fly with the man of belly like a bowl full of jelly!). In less than twelve hours he will be doing the same across the UK before wending his way over to America (whomever it is who keeps checking in to the blog from the U.S. don't forget to leave out your milk and cookies!!).
Do you remember the simpler time of life when we believed in Father Christmas? We never questioned the illogic of one man living in the north pole delivering presents to every child on the planet, we just believed. Then, over time - and hopefully not too early - reality sets in, and we realise the impossibility of the existence of the man. Those of us who have children relive the excitement from another perspective, seeing it from the outside; however said excitement is surely infectious. Although we say 'Christmas is for the kids'; we get a kick out of youngsters living in the world where the impossible becomes possible.
I remember when the penny finally dropped for me. If I was honest with myself I suspected for some time, but when the official truth came out it was a bit upsetting. Then my brother talked to me, and although I don't remember precisely what he said; I remember the gist of it, and as a result I am proud to say in total honesty, that I still believe in Santa Claus.
Is Father Christmas a corporeal being, flesh and bone, racing round the globe and delivering presents at 25 times the speed of light? I seriously doubt it. Saint Nicholas was indeed a real saint, noted for his kindness, generosity and good deeds - particularly to children - and it seems the legend took off from there. I would seriously doubt that the original little Saint Nick has even seen a reindeer, much less a flying one!
Santa may not by 'real', but he exists. What he represents is an idea, a feeling; he is the true spirit of Christmas. At times during Christmas we are Santa, at others we receive gifts from him, at all times we feel him. When a house is filled with laughter, Santa laughs; when a house is filled with love, Santa loves; when a house is filled with joy, Santa smiles. Oh yes my friends; he is real, he is very much alive, and I will always believe in him.
I have never had 'the talk' with a child when they first realise the awful truth, but it is precisely this - an honest and truthful answer - which I would say to them. Rather than being an end to a dream, it is just a slight change to it; a change that hopefully will last a lifetime.
I truly wish that Santa lives happily in your homes, and that he brings you all that you could possibly wish for.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Monday 24 December 2012
Sunday 23 December 2012
HO HO HO!!!! - The Single Life
I am a single man (ladies, form an orderly queue and take a number), and very happy to be so. Don't get me wrong, I would much prefer to be in a stable (holding a box of frankincense....see what I did there?!!), loving, and life-long relationship, but until that Miss Ying to this Mr Yang shows up (my money is on number 34) I am not just going to 'make the best' of the bachelor life, I am going to enjoy it. There are lots of perks about being on your own, perks which are given up when entering into a relationship (yes, you usually gain more - different - perks than you lose (not least of which is a snog from time to time!); so you are better off, but hey.... glass half full single guy talking here!). The decision making process is much simpler (thinking for one rather than two), and on those days when you have such an arse of a day you just want to get home, sit down and not talk to anyone; you can.
There are times when I feel the solitude though, and none more keenly than at Christmas. Now don't worry; I'm not spending the entire holiday moping around the house singing 'lone-leeeeeeeee, I'm so lone-leeeeeee'. The symptoms are neither chronic nor constant, but there are moments during Christmas which would be lovely to share with a special someone. The Pretenders have it right when they sing......
'The lights on my tree,
I wish you could see,
I wish it ev'ry day,
Logs on the fire,
Fill me with desire,
To see you and to say,
That I wish you merry Christmas,
Happy new year too,
I've just one wish on this Christmas eve,
I wish I were with you.'
The thought of cuddling with that special someone in a decorated living room, candles everywhere, presents under the sparkling tree, bottle of champagne fizzing away, Christmas Carols on the stereo or (not and!) a movie playing (take your pick) on the TV does make me wistful. The peel of the bells while walking through the middle of Chester on the way to midnight mass at the cathedral does make me wish there was someone with their hand in mine to share it with. All of the above would be really, really lovely.
Sadly this year - as for a few Christmasses past - it is not to be; maybe next year (I'll give it to someone special!!). Wistful and wishing I may be, but I am also determined that those feelings will not make me settle for anything less than the right relationship with the right person, and I am absolutely sure I will know beyond doubt when that opportunity comes along. Until then, the Christmas movies and cathedral bells will be seen and heard by just me!
In case I don't have the chance to say it before the big day; I would like to wish everybody a VERY Merry Christmas. My genuine and heartfelt wishes are with you for happy holidays, and an exciting, joyful and of course healthy new year. In with my seasonal wishes, I would like to thank you. Whether this is the first time you have stumbled across this blog, or your umpteenth visit, you have become a part of it; and on this, the first and only full calendar year of the challenge, I am so grateful to you all. This challenge would have been impossible without you reading about it, and now we are so near its conclusion - and with what I hope will be your continued support - I am confident of a successful 2013 (and you know what THAT means!).
There are times when I feel the solitude though, and none more keenly than at Christmas. Now don't worry; I'm not spending the entire holiday moping around the house singing 'lone-leeeeeeeee, I'm so lone-leeeeeee'. The symptoms are neither chronic nor constant, but there are moments during Christmas which would be lovely to share with a special someone. The Pretenders have it right when they sing......
'The lights on my tree,
I wish you could see,
I wish it ev'ry day,
Logs on the fire,
Fill me with desire,
To see you and to say,
That I wish you merry Christmas,
Happy new year too,
I've just one wish on this Christmas eve,
I wish I were with you.'
The thought of cuddling with that special someone in a decorated living room, candles everywhere, presents under the sparkling tree, bottle of champagne fizzing away, Christmas Carols on the stereo or (not and!) a movie playing (take your pick) on the TV does make me wistful. The peel of the bells while walking through the middle of Chester on the way to midnight mass at the cathedral does make me wish there was someone with their hand in mine to share it with. All of the above would be really, really lovely.
Sadly this year - as for a few Christmasses past - it is not to be; maybe next year (I'll give it to someone special!!). Wistful and wishing I may be, but I am also determined that those feelings will not make me settle for anything less than the right relationship with the right person, and I am absolutely sure I will know beyond doubt when that opportunity comes along. Until then, the Christmas movies and cathedral bells will be seen and heard by just me!
In case I don't have the chance to say it before the big day; I would like to wish everybody a VERY Merry Christmas. My genuine and heartfelt wishes are with you for happy holidays, and an exciting, joyful and of course healthy new year. In with my seasonal wishes, I would like to thank you. Whether this is the first time you have stumbled across this blog, or your umpteenth visit, you have become a part of it; and on this, the first and only full calendar year of the challenge, I am so grateful to you all. This challenge would have been impossible without you reading about it, and now we are so near its conclusion - and with what I hope will be your continued support - I am confident of a successful 2013 (and you know what THAT means!).
Weigh in (77)
Considering I chickened out of the weigh in last week (full English-itis) it was with some trepidation when getting on the scales. Activities (exercise, diet) have been very unroutine-ish of late (for reasons why, just see previous posts) so I honestly didn't know what to expect. It's two pounds on from the weigh in two weeks ago, leaving me at 15 stone 9 pounds.Could have been worse, but of course could have been better.
I am struggling with the diet, and the holidays have come as something of a regrouping relief. The fact that my week is now split 4 nights home/3 nights hotel is proving - I was going to say more, but to be honest - as difficult as expected. If it's not a Subway sandwich it's a meal at the hotel (where the chef decided to give me an extra portion of chocolate pudding.....in the interests of North-South relations, how could I refuse?!!.....okay, by saying 'no thank you'.....but I regret to say, I didn't). I did make an effort to 'fashion' an evening meal, but it turned out to be a culinary disaster which I will not repeat here in case it puts you of eating......forever......
There is certainly hope however, as there is plenty of improvement I can bring to what I am eating; and I can use the Christmas break to plan my meals when I am doing the hotel thing (the odd healthy-option subway, one health-conscious meal at the hotel, maybe even cook something at home and bring it with me!). Add to this the fact that I have managed to establish a routine of running on both Monday and Tuesday evenings with the SPAAAAAAARTAAAANS means a two pound gain can quickly become a weight loss.
It's a weird thing about routine; you can't establish one until you know what you have to work with. After two official weeks in the official job I have enough to make a plan; it is far from impossible to 'make it work', and let's face it, with a marathon coming up in less than four months that is very good news indeed!!
The running is going well; and I will be packing up my 'gear' when I go off to my Mums later so I can put in a few miles in between turkey slices, bucks fizz and prezzies. Can't speak for how long the runs will be, but I just want to keep my hand (foot!) in before the real hard labour begins in the new year. (Why do I have the feeling that the time between now and April 21st is going to evaporate mighty quickly?!!).
I am looking forward to Christmas; it kinda feels I have been holding my breath over the last month and I can finally exhale, relax, enjoy time without rushing, and then set my stall out for 2013 and all the challenges and hopefully successes it will bring!!
Bring it on........
I am struggling with the diet, and the holidays have come as something of a regrouping relief. The fact that my week is now split 4 nights home/3 nights hotel is proving - I was going to say more, but to be honest - as difficult as expected. If it's not a Subway sandwich it's a meal at the hotel (where the chef decided to give me an extra portion of chocolate pudding.....in the interests of North-South relations, how could I refuse?!!.....okay, by saying 'no thank you'.....but I regret to say, I didn't). I did make an effort to 'fashion' an evening meal, but it turned out to be a culinary disaster which I will not repeat here in case it puts you of eating......forever......
There is certainly hope however, as there is plenty of improvement I can bring to what I am eating; and I can use the Christmas break to plan my meals when I am doing the hotel thing (the odd healthy-option subway, one health-conscious meal at the hotel, maybe even cook something at home and bring it with me!). Add to this the fact that I have managed to establish a routine of running on both Monday and Tuesday evenings with the SPAAAAAAARTAAAANS means a two pound gain can quickly become a weight loss.
It's a weird thing about routine; you can't establish one until you know what you have to work with. After two official weeks in the official job I have enough to make a plan; it is far from impossible to 'make it work', and let's face it, with a marathon coming up in less than four months that is very good news indeed!!
The running is going well; and I will be packing up my 'gear' when I go off to my Mums later so I can put in a few miles in between turkey slices, bucks fizz and prezzies. Can't speak for how long the runs will be, but I just want to keep my hand (foot!) in before the real hard labour begins in the new year. (Why do I have the feeling that the time between now and April 21st is going to evaporate mighty quickly?!!).
I am looking forward to Christmas; it kinda feels I have been holding my breath over the last month and I can finally exhale, relax, enjoy time without rushing, and then set my stall out for 2013 and all the challenges and hopefully successes it will bring!!
Bring it on........
Saturday 22 December 2012
HO HO HO!!!! - Movies pt 2
Sorry to leave you hanging before getting onto the utterly-must-see-doesn't-matter-if-it's-3am-I'm gonna-watch-it-and-every-time-I-drop-off-I-will-wake-and-rewind-the-bit-I've-missed (that is really what I call them) but the previous post was becoming a bit of a monster so it was time to make a lovely blogpost split (mmmmm, delicious!).
White Christmas
For some, the definitive Christmas movie; and I am not going to argue with them! (Now, anyone who says that 'Scrooged' with Bill Murray is the definitive Christmas movie I am sorry but I am going to have to grab you, carry you out the back and beat the crap out of you!). It may not be the first film to feature the title song (see last post) but the unlikely yet inspired pairing of Danny Kaye and - again! - Bing Crosby leaves its earlier counterpart very much in the shade.
In my book (metaphorical), for a film to be classed as 'good' it usually contains great songs, great lyrics (Irving Berlin....genius), a great story, a great script with some funny one-liners, great dancing; White Christmas elevates itself beyond this in the fact that it effortlessly ticks all of these boxes. Kaye's unique talent of being equally comfortable dancing as singing turn numbers like 'The Best Things Happen While You Dance' ('even guys with two left feet come out alright if the girl is sweet') into an utter joy, and likewise Crosby's unequalled crooning makes a pretty song such as 'Count Your Blessings' ('when I'm worried, and I can't sleep; I count my blessings instead of sheep' which incidentally I do by the way, and it really works!) into a song of true love, not to mention true wisdom.
Even if the White Christmas experience were limited to a collection of song and dance it would still be worthy of a place in my Christmas DVD collection, but interweaving them within a fantastic, festive story of friendship, hope, kindness, joy and love (if you haven't noticed a pattern in my films yet you really are a bit daft aintcha!?) leave me once again snivelling into my hanky. Now, usually I finish off with a line from the movie; the trouble is there are so many to choose from......!
'.....My dear partner, when what's left of you gets around to what's left to be gotten, what's left to be gotten won't be worth getting whatever it is you've got left.....'
okay, one more.......
'.....I'm not the marrying kind!'
'So what kind are you then??!'
'Well, I'm, uh, more the 'I-don't-mind-pushing-my-best-friend-into-but-I'm-scared-stiff-when-I-get-anywhere-close-to-it-myselfing' kind!'
I could go on, but instead I will leave you to discover it yourself; much more enjoyable that way!
Scrooge
This is the definitive Christmas movie starring Bill Murray.
......just kidding......
The good news is that I can't really spoil this story, as surely everyone knows the Dickens classic of 'A Christmas Carol'. Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Fan, Alice, ghosts of Christmasses past, present and yet to come? If this isn't ringing any bells then do yourself a favour; get up, go to the shops and buy this film on DVD immediately. The story is so classic you can't go wrong with any of its many, many film interpretations (Muppetts, and.......oh go on, even Bill Murray if you must) but without doubt the ultimate version of the Scrooge story is with Alistair Sim in the title role.
Yes it's in black and white, and yes, special effects which in 1951 were as jaw-dropping as Jurassic Park was to us are now looking extremely dated; but that's the thing about old movies, they rely totally and completely on their story, and their actors; and you can't get any better than Dickens and Sim.
Any of us that does a good deed for someone else understands it; the doer does not have to hang around for thanks, the deed itself is reward enough; it feeds the soul. Shakespeare understood it too....
The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven,
Upon the place beneath.
It is twice blessed.
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes
What we witness while watching 'Scrooge' is a man who learns this simple truth. His initial motivation for doing good is selfish - to avoid the fate that the truly chilling ghost of Christmas yet to come shows him - but in an instant he starts to realise that it feels good, to do good. What a quite beautiful sentiment to build a story around don't you think?
'....can you forgive a pig-headed old fool for having no eyes to see with, no ears to hear with, all these years?'
It's a Wonderful Life
Yes, saving the best for last.......
What can I say about this movie? Words are failing me (for once). If I was forced to include Christmas films in my top five, this would have to be number one.
Meet George Bailey; the most extraordinary ordinary man of all time. He was born, he grew up, he moved into the family's struggling business, he fell in love, he got married, he bought a house, he had four children. Pretty boring huh? Well, George himself certainly thought so. All through his life, he had dreams; dreams of a full education, of seeing the world, of a career away from Bedford Falls......
'I'm shakin' the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I'm gonna see the world. Italy, Greece, the Parthenon, the Colosseum. Then, I'm comin' back here to go to college and see what they know. And then I'm gonna build things. I'm gonna build airfields, I'm gonna build skyscrapers a hundred stories high, I'm gonna build bridges a mile long'
He never did any of that. At every dream-fulfilling crossroads something came along which forced him to sacrifice his dreams for the benefit of others. He never leaves Bedford Falls, and the family business is the only career he ever knows. For George, he equates falling short of these ambitions, with life failure. As the trials and tribulations put before him become more and more brutal, he starts to think the unthinkable; that his existence on this earth from beginning to end has been so utterly worthless, and that life would be better without him, or worse still, that the whole world would be a better place if he had never been born.
Just imagine that for a moment before we continue..........horrible isn't it?
Right at the moment when he needs it most, he gets help in the unlikely form of a wingless guardian angel. He brings George a heavenly gift. Clarence Odbody (AS2; angel, second class) allows him to see what the world would be like if he had never existed. His town, his house, his friends, his mother, his wife, his little brother, his non-existent children, all changed, for one reason, and one reason only; that the influence of one man's life has been completely removed from existence.
I don't think there is anyone who would not be tempted by this; scary though the prospect might be, wouldn't we all like to see what would have happened to our friends, our family, the world, if we had never been around to influence them? Would they have been better off? worse? or would the extraction of your life be no more than a blip on the universe? Frustratingly it is something we will never know. I equate it to being stuck in motorway traffic and trying a longer diversion to get home quicker; you will just never know if you would have been better off staying put. No matter how much some people might say they don't care, it surely is a question which taps into all our psyches.
So what happens after George Bailey gets a glimpse of a George Baileyless world? Look, I've spoiled too much already; all I will urge you to do is watch it; ride it out. Get through the stomach-churning drama of grief, desperation and wrath, and I promise you it will be worth it. Oh, and don't forget your hankies......lots.......and lots........of hankies.......
'Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?'
Okay, not so lost for words after all!!!!
White Christmas
For some, the definitive Christmas movie; and I am not going to argue with them! (Now, anyone who says that 'Scrooged' with Bill Murray is the definitive Christmas movie I am sorry but I am going to have to grab you, carry you out the back and beat the crap out of you!). It may not be the first film to feature the title song (see last post) but the unlikely yet inspired pairing of Danny Kaye and - again! - Bing Crosby leaves its earlier counterpart very much in the shade.
In my book (metaphorical), for a film to be classed as 'good' it usually contains great songs, great lyrics (Irving Berlin....genius), a great story, a great script with some funny one-liners, great dancing; White Christmas elevates itself beyond this in the fact that it effortlessly ticks all of these boxes. Kaye's unique talent of being equally comfortable dancing as singing turn numbers like 'The Best Things Happen While You Dance' ('even guys with two left feet come out alright if the girl is sweet') into an utter joy, and likewise Crosby's unequalled crooning makes a pretty song such as 'Count Your Blessings' ('when I'm worried, and I can't sleep; I count my blessings instead of sheep' which incidentally I do by the way, and it really works!) into a song of true love, not to mention true wisdom.
Even if the White Christmas experience were limited to a collection of song and dance it would still be worthy of a place in my Christmas DVD collection, but interweaving them within a fantastic, festive story of friendship, hope, kindness, joy and love (if you haven't noticed a pattern in my films yet you really are a bit daft aintcha!?) leave me once again snivelling into my hanky. Now, usually I finish off with a line from the movie; the trouble is there are so many to choose from......!
'.....My dear partner, when what's left of you gets around to what's left to be gotten, what's left to be gotten won't be worth getting whatever it is you've got left.....'
okay, one more.......
'.....I'm not the marrying kind!'
'So what kind are you then??!'
'Well, I'm, uh, more the 'I-don't-mind-pushing-my-best-friend-into-but-I'm-scared-stiff-when-I-get-anywhere-close-to-it-myselfing' kind!'
I could go on, but instead I will leave you to discover it yourself; much more enjoyable that way!
Scrooge
This is the definitive Christmas movie starring Bill Murray.
......just kidding......
The good news is that I can't really spoil this story, as surely everyone knows the Dickens classic of 'A Christmas Carol'. Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Fan, Alice, ghosts of Christmasses past, present and yet to come? If this isn't ringing any bells then do yourself a favour; get up, go to the shops and buy this film on DVD immediately. The story is so classic you can't go wrong with any of its many, many film interpretations (Muppetts, and.......oh go on, even Bill Murray if you must) but without doubt the ultimate version of the Scrooge story is with Alistair Sim in the title role.
Yes it's in black and white, and yes, special effects which in 1951 were as jaw-dropping as Jurassic Park was to us are now looking extremely dated; but that's the thing about old movies, they rely totally and completely on their story, and their actors; and you can't get any better than Dickens and Sim.
Any of us that does a good deed for someone else understands it; the doer does not have to hang around for thanks, the deed itself is reward enough; it feeds the soul. Shakespeare understood it too....
The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven,
Upon the place beneath.
It is twice blessed.
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes
What we witness while watching 'Scrooge' is a man who learns this simple truth. His initial motivation for doing good is selfish - to avoid the fate that the truly chilling ghost of Christmas yet to come shows him - but in an instant he starts to realise that it feels good, to do good. What a quite beautiful sentiment to build a story around don't you think?
'....can you forgive a pig-headed old fool for having no eyes to see with, no ears to hear with, all these years?'
It's a Wonderful Life
Yes, saving the best for last.......
What can I say about this movie? Words are failing me (for once). If I was forced to include Christmas films in my top five, this would have to be number one.
Meet George Bailey; the most extraordinary ordinary man of all time. He was born, he grew up, he moved into the family's struggling business, he fell in love, he got married, he bought a house, he had four children. Pretty boring huh? Well, George himself certainly thought so. All through his life, he had dreams; dreams of a full education, of seeing the world, of a career away from Bedford Falls......
'I'm shakin' the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I'm gonna see the world. Italy, Greece, the Parthenon, the Colosseum. Then, I'm comin' back here to go to college and see what they know. And then I'm gonna build things. I'm gonna build airfields, I'm gonna build skyscrapers a hundred stories high, I'm gonna build bridges a mile long'
He never did any of that. At every dream-fulfilling crossroads something came along which forced him to sacrifice his dreams for the benefit of others. He never leaves Bedford Falls, and the family business is the only career he ever knows. For George, he equates falling short of these ambitions, with life failure. As the trials and tribulations put before him become more and more brutal, he starts to think the unthinkable; that his existence on this earth from beginning to end has been so utterly worthless, and that life would be better without him, or worse still, that the whole world would be a better place if he had never been born.
Just imagine that for a moment before we continue..........horrible isn't it?
Right at the moment when he needs it most, he gets help in the unlikely form of a wingless guardian angel. He brings George a heavenly gift. Clarence Odbody (AS2; angel, second class) allows him to see what the world would be like if he had never existed. His town, his house, his friends, his mother, his wife, his little brother, his non-existent children, all changed, for one reason, and one reason only; that the influence of one man's life has been completely removed from existence.
I don't think there is anyone who would not be tempted by this; scary though the prospect might be, wouldn't we all like to see what would have happened to our friends, our family, the world, if we had never been around to influence them? Would they have been better off? worse? or would the extraction of your life be no more than a blip on the universe? Frustratingly it is something we will never know. I equate it to being stuck in motorway traffic and trying a longer diversion to get home quicker; you will just never know if you would have been better off staying put. No matter how much some people might say they don't care, it surely is a question which taps into all our psyches.
So what happens after George Bailey gets a glimpse of a George Baileyless world? Look, I've spoiled too much already; all I will urge you to do is watch it; ride it out. Get through the stomach-churning drama of grief, desperation and wrath, and I promise you it will be worth it. Oh, and don't forget your hankies......lots.......and lots........of hankies.......
'Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?'
Okay, not so lost for words after all!!!!
Wednesday 19 December 2012
HO HO HO!!!! - Movies
If you recall a previous subject of the month where I gave you my top five films of all time, there was a proviso inserted (and boy did it make my eyes water) that Christmas movies would be omitted. Yes, it was a total cheat so that through those posts and this one, I can cover more of one my favourite subjects......fillums!!
Each year come beginning of December, most people trudge up to their attic, down to their cellar, or out to their shed to bring down, up or in the boxed-up Christmas decorations. I am no different, but buried in the box underneath the tinsel and baubles is my collection of Christmas DVD's; of all the Christmas adornments these, for me, are the most precious.
It is always my intention to watch them all during the big day build-up; but sadly some usually get missed out due to the fact that I spend so long saving them for later that there are no longer enough hours in the days before Christmas to watch them, even if I do so back-to-back with scarcely a loo break in between. Certain movies however, I almost HAVE to watch or else it is just not Christmas.
So here they are; the Adrian Christmas film collection. Like those flicks described before I will try not to give too much away about the plot; or at least I will try and warn you if the spoiler is doing too much spoiling! More time will be given for the must-see films......
Holiday Inn
Don't let the black and white put you off, it is a lovely movie; and the first time - unlike the film of the same name - we hear Irving Berlin's song 'White Christmas'. Instead of Bing Crosby being paired with Danny Kaye, a considerably younger looking (still big ears though) Bing shares the stage with the great Fred Astaire. There are some tricky, distinctly non-pc moments which whilst acceptable in the 1940's would certainly not be permitted nowadays. If you can see past those little transgressions it is a heart-warming movie of music, dance, peace and yes; true love.
The Holiday
This one crept up on me unexpectedly. Let's be honest here, armed with the front cover of the DVD and the first ten minutes of the film you can probably predict the entire movie from start to finish; but surely the fact that I like to watch it year after year renders that irrelevant? Two unlucky in love women (one in America, the other in Surrey) agree to a house swap, and guess what these two unlucky in LOVE ladies go on to find?!!! Care to take a wild guess?!
I love it. Love the predictable ending, love the sweet old man living next door, love the woman who is a leading lady but plays the part of the best friend (great line), love Jack Black singing film theme tunes at the top of his voice in the middle of a video store, love the woman adjusting to Surrey village traffic, love the love stories, but most of all I love the insight into bad relationships which are allowed to perpetuate even though the badness is as plain as the nose on Jack Black and Kate Winslett's faces.
"Amanda Woods........welcome back!!!!"
Bernard and the Genie
Hard to find on DVD; Lenny Henry as the genie in a slightly surreal but charming made-for-TV, BBC movie. Rowan Atkinson is fantastic as the nasty boss, plus lots of star cameos appearing unexpectedly to make you - ok, me! - giggle. Written by Richard Curtis which is as good a reference as it needs really.
Love, Actually
Do you know, I only just realised; I have two Christmas movies in this collection which are written by Richard Curtis; meet number two. This one being much more famous.
Eight stories of love in all its many guises; love lost, unrequited love, lust, love betrayed, love which conquers all, love when you least expect it, simple love and love prevented. Whatever story you relate to the most (possibly more than one) there is something there for everybody, and it is a true tour de force of British acting.
So what is the story I relate to the most? I love all of them, but I think the unrequited one is quite beautiful, and something I have had experience of. When you watch it, look for the moment when the secret is finally out, and he walks out of the house, turns to walk back in and talk to her, turns to walk away, turns back to the house, finally resolving to leave. It is brilliantly done, and although a wordless piece of action it speaks volumes. I can hear exactly what he is saying.
....."Enough..........enough now........."
Nativity!
Set in the city of Coventry - a place I have lived over a decade of my life - it is a low budget movie starring Martin Freeman (star of the 'simple love' story above), but don't let the lack of special effects and venue put you off. You have got to be a pretty cold fish not to be touched by this movie about a primary school teacher who ties himself in knots by making his school believe that Hollywood are coming to see their Nativity play (yes; you heard me right).
You're right, disbelief has to be somewhat suspended; but not as much as you might think. The reading of the letters to Santa is truly heart-breaking (I am not a pretty sight at this point.....even worse than usual!), but if you aren't clapping and cheering during the play within the film then there is something wrong with you.
They've released a sequel this week, but it will have to be pretty blummin' good to hold a candle to the original!
The Family Man
I have never been a big fan of Nicholas Cage, on the other hand for most of this film he is married to Tea Leoni (every cloud.....). A rich, single businessman who 'has everything' is given a glimpse by the fantastic Don Cheadle; a glimpse of what his life would have been like if.......well......that is what he needs to find out. He wakes up married with two children, an outrageous mortgage and a career which is far removed from Wall Street. This couldn't possibly be a life he would prefer could it?.......could it???!!
Predictable - again - it might be, but does that make it less enjoyable? Nope!! A story when someone learns the true meaning of love and happiness is never a waste of time in my opinion; it is to be celebrated. The moment at the airport when he shouts across at the wife he should have had gives me goosebumps (warning - might well be overstepping the 'giving too much away about the story' boundary here)....
"We have a house in Jersey. We have two kids, Annie and Josh. Annie's not much of a violin player, but she tries real hard. She's a little precocious, but that's only because she says what's on her mind. And when she smiles... And Josh, he has your eyes. He doesn't say much, but we know he's smart. He's always got his eyes open, he's always watching us. Sometimes you can look at him and you just know he's learning something new. It's like witnessing a miracle. The house is a mess but it's ours. After 122 more payments, it's going to be ours. And you, you're a non-profit lawyer. That's right, you're completely non-profit, but that doesn't seem to bother you. And we're in love. After 13 years of marriage we're still unbelievably in love. You won't even let me touch you until I've said it. I sing to you. Not all the time, but definitely on special occasions. We've dealt with our share of surprises and made a lot of sacrifices but we've stayed together. You see, you're a better person than I am. And it made me a better person to be around you. I don't know, maybe it was just all a dream. Maybe I went to bed one lonely night in December and I imagined it all. But I swear, nothing has ever felt more real. And if you get on that plane right now, it'll disappear forever. I know we could both go on with our lives and we'd both be fine, but I've seen what we could be like together. And I choose us"
The really big ones are yet to come.......!
Each year come beginning of December, most people trudge up to their attic, down to their cellar, or out to their shed to bring down, up or in the boxed-up Christmas decorations. I am no different, but buried in the box underneath the tinsel and baubles is my collection of Christmas DVD's; of all the Christmas adornments these, for me, are the most precious.
It is always my intention to watch them all during the big day build-up; but sadly some usually get missed out due to the fact that I spend so long saving them for later that there are no longer enough hours in the days before Christmas to watch them, even if I do so back-to-back with scarcely a loo break in between. Certain movies however, I almost HAVE to watch or else it is just not Christmas.
So here they are; the Adrian Christmas film collection. Like those flicks described before I will try not to give too much away about the plot; or at least I will try and warn you if the spoiler is doing too much spoiling! More time will be given for the must-see films......
Holiday Inn
Don't let the black and white put you off, it is a lovely movie; and the first time - unlike the film of the same name - we hear Irving Berlin's song 'White Christmas'. Instead of Bing Crosby being paired with Danny Kaye, a considerably younger looking (still big ears though) Bing shares the stage with the great Fred Astaire. There are some tricky, distinctly non-pc moments which whilst acceptable in the 1940's would certainly not be permitted nowadays. If you can see past those little transgressions it is a heart-warming movie of music, dance, peace and yes; true love.
The Holiday
This one crept up on me unexpectedly. Let's be honest here, armed with the front cover of the DVD and the first ten minutes of the film you can probably predict the entire movie from start to finish; but surely the fact that I like to watch it year after year renders that irrelevant? Two unlucky in love women (one in America, the other in Surrey) agree to a house swap, and guess what these two unlucky in LOVE ladies go on to find?!!! Care to take a wild guess?!
I love it. Love the predictable ending, love the sweet old man living next door, love the woman who is a leading lady but plays the part of the best friend (great line), love Jack Black singing film theme tunes at the top of his voice in the middle of a video store, love the woman adjusting to Surrey village traffic, love the love stories, but most of all I love the insight into bad relationships which are allowed to perpetuate even though the badness is as plain as the nose on Jack Black and Kate Winslett's faces.
"Amanda Woods........welcome back!!!!"
Bernard and the Genie
Hard to find on DVD; Lenny Henry as the genie in a slightly surreal but charming made-for-TV, BBC movie. Rowan Atkinson is fantastic as the nasty boss, plus lots of star cameos appearing unexpectedly to make you - ok, me! - giggle. Written by Richard Curtis which is as good a reference as it needs really.
Love, Actually
Do you know, I only just realised; I have two Christmas movies in this collection which are written by Richard Curtis; meet number two. This one being much more famous.
Eight stories of love in all its many guises; love lost, unrequited love, lust, love betrayed, love which conquers all, love when you least expect it, simple love and love prevented. Whatever story you relate to the most (possibly more than one) there is something there for everybody, and it is a true tour de force of British acting.
So what is the story I relate to the most? I love all of them, but I think the unrequited one is quite beautiful, and something I have had experience of. When you watch it, look for the moment when the secret is finally out, and he walks out of the house, turns to walk back in and talk to her, turns to walk away, turns back to the house, finally resolving to leave. It is brilliantly done, and although a wordless piece of action it speaks volumes. I can hear exactly what he is saying.
....."Enough..........enough now........."
Nativity!
Set in the city of Coventry - a place I have lived over a decade of my life - it is a low budget movie starring Martin Freeman (star of the 'simple love' story above), but don't let the lack of special effects and venue put you off. You have got to be a pretty cold fish not to be touched by this movie about a primary school teacher who ties himself in knots by making his school believe that Hollywood are coming to see their Nativity play (yes; you heard me right).
You're right, disbelief has to be somewhat suspended; but not as much as you might think. The reading of the letters to Santa is truly heart-breaking (I am not a pretty sight at this point.....even worse than usual!), but if you aren't clapping and cheering during the play within the film then there is something wrong with you.
They've released a sequel this week, but it will have to be pretty blummin' good to hold a candle to the original!
The Family Man
I have never been a big fan of Nicholas Cage, on the other hand for most of this film he is married to Tea Leoni (every cloud.....). A rich, single businessman who 'has everything' is given a glimpse by the fantastic Don Cheadle; a glimpse of what his life would have been like if.......well......that is what he needs to find out. He wakes up married with two children, an outrageous mortgage and a career which is far removed from Wall Street. This couldn't possibly be a life he would prefer could it?.......could it???!!
Predictable - again - it might be, but does that make it less enjoyable? Nope!! A story when someone learns the true meaning of love and happiness is never a waste of time in my opinion; it is to be celebrated. The moment at the airport when he shouts across at the wife he should have had gives me goosebumps (warning - might well be overstepping the 'giving too much away about the story' boundary here)....
"We have a house in Jersey. We have two kids, Annie and Josh. Annie's not much of a violin player, but she tries real hard. She's a little precocious, but that's only because she says what's on her mind. And when she smiles... And Josh, he has your eyes. He doesn't say much, but we know he's smart. He's always got his eyes open, he's always watching us. Sometimes you can look at him and you just know he's learning something new. It's like witnessing a miracle. The house is a mess but it's ours. After 122 more payments, it's going to be ours. And you, you're a non-profit lawyer. That's right, you're completely non-profit, but that doesn't seem to bother you. And we're in love. After 13 years of marriage we're still unbelievably in love. You won't even let me touch you until I've said it. I sing to you. Not all the time, but definitely on special occasions. We've dealt with our share of surprises and made a lot of sacrifices but we've stayed together. You see, you're a better person than I am. And it made me a better person to be around you. I don't know, maybe it was just all a dream. Maybe I went to bed one lonely night in December and I imagined it all. But I swear, nothing has ever felt more real. And if you get on that plane right now, it'll disappear forever. I know we could both go on with our lives and we'd both be fine, but I've seen what we could be like together. And I choose us"
The really big ones are yet to come.......!
Tuesday 18 December 2012
Subject Of The Month - HO HO HO!!!!
Nope, not gardening tips.......Christmas!!!!
I actually have Christmas to thank for getting back into the blogging routine. I promised you this time last year that yuletide celebrations would be the subject of the month for 2012 (too bone idle to do it in 2011 I guess), and with time ticking away before we hear the familiar jingle-jangle of sleigh bells outside the bedroom window on the night of the 24th of December (my stalker really does need to stop doing that.....) I need to get my backside in gear.
For me - as for most people young and old - Christmas is a time of celebration; but I also find it a fascinating phenomenon (try saying that after ten pints). It is an occasion the meaning and significance of which often changes as you get older, it is also an occasion capable of such love, kindness and togetherness in one house, whilst next door the four walls are vibrating to the yelling and screaming of blazing arguments as tensions are stretched beyond breaking point. It seems to heighten every emotion; both positive and negative.
I am very glad to relate that in the stories you will hear during this subject of the month, the walls will only be vibrating to the sound of joy, laughter, wrapping ripping paper, Christmas carols and traditional pop songs ('Slade The Herald Angels Sing' and all that) and games; as was usually the case in our house. I am likewisely pleased to report that as much as I fall in and out of love with the whole thing in the run up to the big day, come December the 25th that childhood feeling of fun always creeps its way back into my heart.
So in between running sessions and weigh-ins, I will be taking you on a - very quick! - journey of an Adrian Christmas; some of the stories which meant so much to me, the movies, the traditions, the feelings, the songs. So where do we start? How about when Christmas really starts for me?
Ask Kate Rusby (terrific singer; to be highly recommended) and she would tell you that Christmas officially begins when the Christmas Radio Times comes out, ask many people and they will tell you that the point at which Christmas becomes real is when they are putting up and decorating their tree, some purists may even say that Christmas starts at 12:01am on December 25th (booooooooooriiiiiiinggggg); my Christmas however starts differently (different?......who? me????!).
There is a song, a song which to me is completely and absolutely Christmas. In Dulci Jubilo by Mike Oldfield comes close, Little Town by Cliff Richard even closer, but this song is so full of joy that it's first play of the yule year is anticipated, prepared for, and ultimately relished; it is at that point that Christmas truly begins. I have already planned it for this year; it will be Thursday afternoon in the car as I am wending my way home to the chilly North-West from the slightly less chilly Hertfordshire.
So what is the tune? You are sure you will know it won't you? But you won't. It is not famous, it is damn near impossible to find; but 'Ding Dong Merrily On High' by The Cambridge Buskers is to me, the music of Christmas. Pure joy, pure, positive power. It makes me smile, it makes me dance; and in an instant it reminds me of all that is good about Christmas. If you can find it and download it, play it loud and I promise you, you will not be disappointed. You will also be one of the few people to be in on the secret of such a song, a secret you will be sharing with me and who knows; Christmas for you might also begin on its first hearing!
I actually have Christmas to thank for getting back into the blogging routine. I promised you this time last year that yuletide celebrations would be the subject of the month for 2012 (too bone idle to do it in 2011 I guess), and with time ticking away before we hear the familiar jingle-jangle of sleigh bells outside the bedroom window on the night of the 24th of December (my stalker really does need to stop doing that.....) I need to get my backside in gear.
For me - as for most people young and old - Christmas is a time of celebration; but I also find it a fascinating phenomenon (try saying that after ten pints). It is an occasion the meaning and significance of which often changes as you get older, it is also an occasion capable of such love, kindness and togetherness in one house, whilst next door the four walls are vibrating to the yelling and screaming of blazing arguments as tensions are stretched beyond breaking point. It seems to heighten every emotion; both positive and negative.
I am very glad to relate that in the stories you will hear during this subject of the month, the walls will only be vibrating to the sound of joy, laughter, wrapping ripping paper, Christmas carols and traditional pop songs ('Slade The Herald Angels Sing' and all that) and games; as was usually the case in our house. I am likewisely pleased to report that as much as I fall in and out of love with the whole thing in the run up to the big day, come December the 25th that childhood feeling of fun always creeps its way back into my heart.
So in between running sessions and weigh-ins, I will be taking you on a - very quick! - journey of an Adrian Christmas; some of the stories which meant so much to me, the movies, the traditions, the feelings, the songs. So where do we start? How about when Christmas really starts for me?
Ask Kate Rusby (terrific singer; to be highly recommended) and she would tell you that Christmas officially begins when the Christmas Radio Times comes out, ask many people and they will tell you that the point at which Christmas becomes real is when they are putting up and decorating their tree, some purists may even say that Christmas starts at 12:01am on December 25th (booooooooooriiiiiiinggggg); my Christmas however starts differently (different?......who? me????!).
There is a song, a song which to me is completely and absolutely Christmas. In Dulci Jubilo by Mike Oldfield comes close, Little Town by Cliff Richard even closer, but this song is so full of joy that it's first play of the yule year is anticipated, prepared for, and ultimately relished; it is at that point that Christmas truly begins. I have already planned it for this year; it will be Thursday afternoon in the car as I am wending my way home to the chilly North-West from the slightly less chilly Hertfordshire.
So what is the tune? You are sure you will know it won't you? But you won't. It is not famous, it is damn near impossible to find; but 'Ding Dong Merrily On High' by The Cambridge Buskers is to me, the music of Christmas. Pure joy, pure, positive power. It makes me smile, it makes me dance; and in an instant it reminds me of all that is good about Christmas. If you can find it and download it, play it loud and I promise you, you will not be disappointed. You will also be one of the few people to be in on the secret of such a song, a secret you will be sharing with me and who knows; Christmas for you might also begin on its first hearing!
Monday 17 December 2012
Weigh in (73), (74), (75), (76)
Yes, yes, yes......blog posts are like London buses......blah blah yada blah.....
Still playing catch up with everything at the moment; but another blog post means progress; I think!
There are now - count them with me....one, two, buckle my shoe - four weigh-ins to catch up on. I would love to say that my lack of updating is no cause for concern, but as I am concerned that would be a scorching (literally) case of liar liar pants on fire.
By now you should be aware of the new job; the working week of which is travelling down from Manchester to Stevenage at daft o'clock (GMT) on a Monday morning; hotelling it for three nights and then heading back up to northern civilisation (NOT an oxymoron) on Thursday night. It is not sustainable, but something I can do until hopefully both parties (me and company) are in agreement that it is a good match and I can move darn sarf on a permanent basis. Looking good so far!
So; what was a successful routine of gym Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, with the occasional badminton match is now all over the place.....in actual fact let's be honest here; said routine is shot to pieces. On top of this my food intake is now so much more difficult to control. The hotel I am staying at has a restaurant, and although there are other places to eat they are all under the blanket of fast-food. Just to add a cuttingly acidic insult to life-threatening injury.....the hotel does a fantastic full English breakfast.
I am struggling, and need to find a way to deal with what I am eating; I need to 'make it work'. Fortunately I only have two weeks of this new regime until Christmas, providing me with time enough to devise a plan which manages my diet successfully. It is a plan I desperately need as there are only so many healthy-option Subway sandwiches I can eat of an evening before it drives me crazy; plus during my first week I had a full English every morning.......do I have to say 'not good' or can we just take it as read?
Is that all the trouble?....well.... no it's not. When I do eventually get home I am clueless of what to buy. With essentially only three full days I am either buying too much from the supermarket - and throwing stuff away - or too little and resorting to takeaways (my first curry last weekend, slipping into old and bad habits......I know I know).
Okay.....that's all the trouble now, I promise.
So enough of the procrastination, what's the score? Well, as Tuesday nights are now away from home, in the interests of consistency I have moved the weigh ins to Thursday nights after the drive home. Here goes......
Weigh in (73) 15 stone 10 pounds
Weigh in (74) 15 stone 4 pounds
Weigh in (75) 15 stone 7 pounds
Weigh in (76) Wimped out after all those full Englishes
So on a positive note I have not done a huge amount of damage; the weight is still in the 15 stonesies. Granted if I had managed to keep the rate of weight loss from post great north, I would probably be at my target weight (whatever that is!) by now, but considering what is going on at the moment it is a case of damage limitation and so far I think I am managing to manage it (good luck or good judgement? I suspect the former......). I confess to being so worried about the most recent weigh in that I chickened out....I swear to you it will not happen again. Good or bad, I will always get on those scales. Feel pretty embarrassed at admitting my cowardice; powerful incentive not to do it again.
I know what you're thinking - I do.....really! - is there any good news? As a matter of fact, there is. I still feel strong, and even though I am writing this post at gone 11pm on a day which started at 4am, I feel good. What's more, I have taken my first step towards a new routine. I say step; tonight there were actually three and a half miles worth of steps. The guys at work - many of which are runners themselves - pointed me in the direction of a running club which makes good use of the psychopath... ....errrrr....cycle paths of Stevenage. It is freezing cold, tiring, hard, and I have to - once more - negotiate the 'go somewhere on your own and try to make a go of it in a group of strangers' phenomenon, but after my second session tonight I am proud to say I am officially a Fairlands Valley Spartan (I am itching to find a way of yelling 'THIS...IS....SPARTAAAAAAAAAA!!!!' at someone). It feels really good to get out on the road, and even better to do it with such a fantastic group of people. There are lots of experienced marathon runners amongst them, and they have kindly offered to make me a training schedule for the 'big one' next April; particularly after they found out about 'the story'. I am starting to believe this might actually happen, even with all the other happenings which happen to be happening at the moment. There is hope; big, strong, mighty hope. So please, keep the faith. Back out there for more of the same tomorrow night!! Oh, and my sister has bought me a flash new pair of running shoes; only for best though......!
I look a right Charlie in my outdoor running gear though........! Why do I sense a self-deprecating photograph coming on....?!
Still playing catch up with everything at the moment; but another blog post means progress; I think!
There are now - count them with me....one, two, buckle my shoe - four weigh-ins to catch up on. I would love to say that my lack of updating is no cause for concern, but as I am concerned that would be a scorching (literally) case of liar liar pants on fire.
By now you should be aware of the new job; the working week of which is travelling down from Manchester to Stevenage at daft o'clock (GMT) on a Monday morning; hotelling it for three nights and then heading back up to northern civilisation (NOT an oxymoron) on Thursday night. It is not sustainable, but something I can do until hopefully both parties (me and company) are in agreement that it is a good match and I can move darn sarf on a permanent basis. Looking good so far!
So; what was a successful routine of gym Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, with the occasional badminton match is now all over the place.....in actual fact let's be honest here; said routine is shot to pieces. On top of this my food intake is now so much more difficult to control. The hotel I am staying at has a restaurant, and although there are other places to eat they are all under the blanket of fast-food. Just to add a cuttingly acidic insult to life-threatening injury.....the hotel does a fantastic full English breakfast.
I am struggling, and need to find a way to deal with what I am eating; I need to 'make it work'. Fortunately I only have two weeks of this new regime until Christmas, providing me with time enough to devise a plan which manages my diet successfully. It is a plan I desperately need as there are only so many healthy-option Subway sandwiches I can eat of an evening before it drives me crazy; plus during my first week I had a full English every morning.......do I have to say 'not good' or can we just take it as read?
Is that all the trouble?....well.... no it's not. When I do eventually get home I am clueless of what to buy. With essentially only three full days I am either buying too much from the supermarket - and throwing stuff away - or too little and resorting to takeaways (my first curry last weekend, slipping into old and bad habits......I know I know).
Okay.....that's all the trouble now, I promise.
So enough of the procrastination, what's the score? Well, as Tuesday nights are now away from home, in the interests of consistency I have moved the weigh ins to Thursday nights after the drive home. Here goes......
Weigh in (73) 15 stone 10 pounds
Weigh in (74) 15 stone 4 pounds
Weigh in (75) 15 stone 7 pounds
Weigh in (76) Wimped out after all those full Englishes
So on a positive note I have not done a huge amount of damage; the weight is still in the 15 stonesies. Granted if I had managed to keep the rate of weight loss from post great north, I would probably be at my target weight (whatever that is!) by now, but considering what is going on at the moment it is a case of damage limitation and so far I think I am managing to manage it (good luck or good judgement? I suspect the former......). I confess to being so worried about the most recent weigh in that I chickened out....I swear to you it will not happen again. Good or bad, I will always get on those scales. Feel pretty embarrassed at admitting my cowardice; powerful incentive not to do it again.
I know what you're thinking - I do.....really! - is there any good news? As a matter of fact, there is. I still feel strong, and even though I am writing this post at gone 11pm on a day which started at 4am, I feel good. What's more, I have taken my first step towards a new routine. I say step; tonight there were actually three and a half miles worth of steps. The guys at work - many of which are runners themselves - pointed me in the direction of a running club which makes good use of the psychopath... ....errrrr....cycle paths of Stevenage. It is freezing cold, tiring, hard, and I have to - once more - negotiate the 'go somewhere on your own and try to make a go of it in a group of strangers' phenomenon, but after my second session tonight I am proud to say I am officially a Fairlands Valley Spartan (I am itching to find a way of yelling 'THIS...IS....SPARTAAAAAAAAAA!!!!' at someone). It feels really good to get out on the road, and even better to do it with such a fantastic group of people. There are lots of experienced marathon runners amongst them, and they have kindly offered to make me a training schedule for the 'big one' next April; particularly after they found out about 'the story'. I am starting to believe this might actually happen, even with all the other happenings which happen to be happening at the moment. There is hope; big, strong, mighty hope. So please, keep the faith. Back out there for more of the same tomorrow night!! Oh, and my sister has bought me a flash new pair of running shoes; only for best though......!
I look a right Charlie in my outdoor running gear though........! Why do I sense a self-deprecating photograph coming on....?!
Wednesday 12 December 2012
Remember me??
You know, rumour has it that there used to be a kind of
interesting blog on here back in the day. They say that if you are very quiet,
and listen SO carefully, you can still hear the ghostly tap-tap-tapping of
fingers on keys. Whatever happened to him I wonder.....? Does he still think of
you, the reader; after leaving us high and dry in mid-challenge? How very dare
he do this to you…..
In my previous posts (about four years ago) I made reference
to events which were taking me out of my comfort zone, and frustratingly I could
not at the time divulge what these events were. I am pleased to say that my vow
of silence can now be broken. So what has all the fuss been about? Well, if I
said that the previous blog post was written in the front room of my house in
Edenfield (Lancashire), and I am writing this one from a hotel room in
Stevenage (Hertfordshire) you might be getting the gist.
For the last four years I have worked for a good company; it
has been a period with its fair share of challenges, frustrations and yes,
successes. Positives though the job possessed; more recently the frustrations
and insurmountable challenges were increasing in indirect proportion to any
chances of career progression, and the only job satisfaction was
self-generated; all in all not the most satisfying way to spend five working
days a week. The positives were that it enabled me to live back in my native
north-west, and to spend more time with my eighty-something year old Mum only a
half hour drive away (it also meant I could see more of Stockport County
football matches……but I’m honestly not sure whether that is classed under the
positive or negative column!).
Enter stage left, galloping in on its white charger to save
me; Propak Architectural Glazing, offering me a job and being flatteringly keen
to bring me aboard. Enthusiasm, positivity, challenge, a recognition and
appreciation of who I am and what experience I possess, not scared to invest in
the right areas to ‘make things happen’, career progression; couldn’t be better
could it? The only problem; they are based just shy of 250 miles away from
Manchester, quite a daily commute is it not?!
Most people wouldn’t think twice about an opportunity like
this, but it may well have been the hardest decision I have ever had to make. How
can I explain it? To most people the choice is a classic ‘no-brainer’, but no
matter what advice I received from those most people, I knew what accepting an
opportunity like this would mean. It would mean unsettlement, it would mean
uncertainty, it would mean risk, it would mean upheaval, it would mean
‘starting again’, despite the company bending over backwards so I can stay in
the north-west, it would eventually lead to a move to Hertfordshire, it would
mean guilt at not being able to spend as much time with my beautiful Mum. Lots of
positives and excitement too, but I am realistic about the whole package; and
yes, this realism had to include the way this boat-rocking would jeopardise my
exercise and healthy eating regime, and the ultimate success in training for
and completing the London Marathon next year.
Do I choose the familiar and predictable path; safe in the
knowledge that it will look the same in twenty years as it does right now; or
do I have the confidence and gumption (gumptidence?) to choose the rocky, fog-filled
path whose end is not certain but whose end could be soooooo good?
As you know where I am as I type these words, the element of
mystery is gone....solid gooone. I took the job; and this is my first official
week at work. It is exciting, and I have been given no reason at all to regret
my decision (yet!). The people and ultimate ‘vibe’ about the place is
definitely one of desire to make a success of the venture. Nevertheless the
decision still does not sit well with me. There are things I have chosen to do
for the benefit of others, there are also things I have chosen to do for my own
benefit provided they don’t negatively affect anyone I care about; this is the
first decision I have made for my own benefit which will also result in clear
negativity for others, and that goes completely against my nature. Seeing less
of my Mum will come as a blow to her, and me for that matter (at least I have a
new job to help take my mind off it); I feel particularly guilty as let’s not sugar-coat
it here, at her age the number of days left to enjoy Mum’s company are limited and
now I won’t have the chance to spend as many of them with her. Practically too,
my absence will create a void of care (shopping, cooking, cleaning, generally spending
time with her) which will need to be filled by someone; hopefully.
And yet, despite these misgivings, it still really is a
no-brainer, and I feel a better man for making the right decision. I care
enough to have regret about what I am leaving behind, but thanks to my own
common sense, and a feeling that anyone who cares about me will support what is
best for me, I still have the sense to go through it. So bring on the new job,
bring on the unsettlement, bring on Stevenage; I’m ready.
The only trouble is, what is going to happen to phase three
of Fatmantofitman………? Am I still up for it……..? Stay tuned……