23/366

I'm not sure if my nephew Zac has any career ambitions yet, he's not even started 'proper' school yet, but god help us if he ever holds a position of power, or even worse a law enforcer.  I say this because he informed me this afternoon that if I drove through a red traffic light the police would take me away to a nasty house.  Fair enough you may think albeit a little harsh.... Oh no the worst is yet to come.  Apparently then carnivores would eat me! 

Whilst I applaud a tougher no nonsense approach from the authorities I do think being eaten may be a little too much for jumping a red light.  But I do wish I had such an imagination as little Zac, I love the innocence of some of the things little kids say, it sure brightened my afternoon up.

'MyKnoaky'

My 'MyKnoaky' arrived today, a cool idea from pro cyclist Andreas Klier.  It is a small piece of oak that you carry with you so that you can 'knock on wood' or 'touch wood' at any time, a lucky charm if you like.  Not only is it a lucky charm but for every Knoaky sold a tree is planted for Plant for the Planet foundation.

I wouldn't say I was overly superstitious but I'm of the opinion that it can't do any harm, and if it make you feel better/safer then what the heck.  Superstition interests me, I like to read and hear about why certain groups of people do certain things, what they expect to gain from it and if it does actually work.  Some say it's all a load of twaddle, others swear by it, me... I just keep an open mind.  Sounds a bit like religion really doesn't it?

Andreas talking about MyKnoaky



Really early night for me tonight, feeling it this week after being off last week and Robert and I have another trip to Meadow Lane tomorrow afternoon, you never know it may 'touch wood' for Notts County.

22/366

One of 'those' days today... That 'pea soup' fog was about this morning, in fact it really was quite bad at half 3 this morning.  I left for work as usual and carefully proceeded down the A52 unaware of what was to come.  The warning signs were there at J25 of the M1, an ambulance with blues on was loitering seemingly uncertain of which way it needed to go on the motorway.  Then by the sliproad for the north bound side a police car also on blues.  Thing is at that time of day and without the benefit of hindsight you just carry on, carry on that is until you are faced with a wall of blue lights flashing in the fog.  One and a half hours later a nice police man told me to drive into the services, onto the service road, over the motorway to grab a quick birds eye view of the carnage below and back onto motorway one, this time south bound to where I started.  Now why couldn't that cock by the sliproad have stopped me joining the motorway, he obviously knew what was ahead and must have had an idea how serious it was. BBC News report (clicky)

Later on after managing to claw back some of my lost time after my late arrival at work I suffered more misfortune in the shape of a flat tyre.  Luckily I was round the corner from an ATS depot so was only off the road for just over an hour.  Combined with the earlier shenanigans it was enough to write my day off by the time I finally got home.

Further update on yesterday's nutter on the canal... At half 5 this morning after more than 12 hours negotiating with police he gave himself up.  BBC News Report (clicky)

Was hoping to pop down the cue club tonight for an hour or so, but just couldn't be bothered, a glass of some girly black currant cider was calling me....

21/366

Blogging from my phone tonight so the picture may just appear to be a black void, but if you look closely you should see two white dots.  Those two dots in tonight's western sky are Jupiter and Venus.  I am no astronomer but am reliably informed by Robert that Venus (the upper and brighter of the two) is the hottest planet and Jupiter the largest.

As said I have no real interest in astronomy but can't help but be impressed by seeing two planets with the naked eye.  Not long ago Robert and I attended the night sky event at Wollaton Park where we viewed Jupiter (I could be wrong) through a telescope.  To the naked eye it looked like a bright star, but through the scope you could (just) see the striped surface of the planet and several of its moons.  Again I couldn't help but be impressed.

In other news, whilst viewing our neighbouring planets I could hear a helicopter buzzing around, Robert commented that is was flying around earlier in the day.  After consulting the local jungle drums via facebook and Twitter and following subsequent leads it is apparent armed police are negotiating with a wanted criminal on a canal boat a mile or so from Hobbs Towers - http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/News-and-Appeals/News/2012/March/Mar14-Police-incident-in-Sandiacre.aspx

They better sort it by Monday, I'm planning on running home from Ilson along the canal.

20/366

Very little of interest to report tonight, went to work, went for a run, looked for a holiday in Ibiza, and that's about it. 

Hopefully Mrs H and I will be jetting off to Ibiza for a short break with friends to see David Guetta playing his Fuck Me I'm Famous night at Pacha.  This is all part of our living our lives backwards kind of plan that seems to be unfolding.

Whilst all our friends were out partying and living it up we were busy getting wed and having babies.  Many thought (and said) we were too young and it wouldn't last, well 15 years on we're still going strong.  Yes there have been low points but don't we all experience that.  I feel now we are stronger than ever, as we have matured we understand and appreciate what it is we have that bit more.

Now the tables are turning.  Our thoughts were that we would rather 'live life' later on when we had some money and stability behind us and are still fit and able to do what most 20 somethings get up to.  By doing things young we brought a house on the right side of the property boom.  Got the children out of the way early doors, by the time I'm in my 40's we will be able to leave the kids home alone and do as we wish. 

Next stage of the master plan is to invest our money into an early retirement plan, we have a few ideas and if things go to plan I'll be giving up the daily grind at 55, fingers crossed!

We may have done it the old fashioned way but if I had my time again I'd do nothing differently.

19/366

It would be fair to say I wasn't looking forward to today, the day that our close friends Emma and Andrew said goodbye to their baby daughter.  Cerys was born with a serious heart condition which was diagnosed before her birth.  After surgery Cerys defied the odds twice, she surprised everyone caring for her by bouncing back.  Even after the heartbreaking decision to let her go she fought back just to give her mum and dad a few more days with her.

Kelly and I didn't get the opportunity to meet little Cerys, but she touched ours and many others lives.  Emma & Andy kept friends and family updated daily on the little ones progress, we and I'm sure all others were extremely grateful for this.

After 12 days Cerys fell asleep for the last time in the arms of mummy and daddy, she had fought a brave battle, she had given her proud parents all she could.

For believers of fate the reasons for Cerys' short life will become clear one day, maybe not when they are looking for it, but it will happen.  I believe she is in a good place now, free from any pain and in the knowledge that her mum and dad loved her more than anything they have ever known.  I'm not overly religious but I'm sure she'll be watching down on mum and dad, and her brother's and sisters in years to come, I've even had a word with my mum to keep an eye out for her.

The service this morning was beautiful, just perfect! And Cerys's tea party after was lovely, a fitting tribute to heavens newest and brightest angel!

Rest in peace Cerys, you will always be loved xxx

BILL HONEYWELL: Record Breakers!!

BILL HONEYWELL: Record Breakers!!: After Bill & Richard's Excellent Adventure (I think this name will stick!), the next big, fantastic challenge is - as one of a team of 20 cy...