SUNDAY 31st August 2003 - The last diary entry for the month, on what has been a difficult and unpredictable month realistically. As I look back over the period, what with my illnesses which did put me back quite a bit, which I'm glad to say is on the road to recovery now, with only very minor ailments which don't effect me at all. It's been interesting, rewarding and an experience this month. As they say you're never to old to learn and I certainly have, learning about people, learning about life and myself.
SATURDAY 30th August 2003 - The FA Cup match I was involved in today was a typically action packed tie, worthy of the FA Cup, 3-3, a sending-off, one penalty, a disallowed goal and some controversy, and for the second week in succession I had very little involvement... my two colleagues were in the thick of the action today, taking the pressure, whilst I took care of my duties in a fashion not worthy of any attention. Just the way I like it! Though it is a good test of your character when you come accross added pressure situations, so I'm sure I missed out on a little more experience to add to my bow.
I can't express just how glad I spent my money on trafficmaster - it's been really useful throughout the few years I've been in possession of one. Today more useful when advised of 6 mile tailbacks on the motorway with about a 45 minute delay, it helped me avoid an incident I was sure to come accross.. Well worth the investment at £27 a year, especially when I seem to clock up around 30,000 miles a year it's a small price gaining knowledge of the road situation ahead.
FRIDAY 29th August 2003 - Well, I can't remember much of today, I suppose that could either be a good or a bad thing, considering I'm writing this day's diary on Sunday evening!! Anyway I do remember the 3 mile run tonight, which took in some new sights and of course a new route which freshened up the run. Enjoyed that and also enjoyed watching the latest Bond movie on DVD with Mum, Die Another Day, which was enjoyable.
THURSDAY 28th August 2003 - Made good progress today, though I do get the feeling that I need to spend more hours at work to get things done. I can see the time when I need to take work home every night or just stay late at work every night to get things up-to-date. There is so much to do, but seemingly little time to do things. Trouble is I'm getting so fatigued lately, I don't seem to have the energy, or if I do I get worn out quicker. Anyway I think I need building up, get some energy injucing foods inside me and try and grab the odd extra bit of rest wherever I can.
WEDNESDAY 27th August 2003 - Fitness training was excellent tonight, it does make a difference when more people are involved. Really enjoyed the workout. Felt in a good mood today, in fact quite generous, so I bought our 'team' some biscuits and even bought Christine and Rich a can of Stella each yesterday!! Though they weren't allowed to drink during office hours... we do have some rules!
TUESDAY 26th August 2003 - As is typical when I return to work after a long weekend following the bank holiday I lose all track of what day it is, keep thinking it was Monday. Getting told off for rubbing my eyes, even my left one which is okay, though my right eye is still problematic. Anyway I enjoyed the day, even getting ribbed about yesterdays misfortune, and a few more jokes came my way. It only took 24 hours for it to get round all the Referees in Worcester that we had our underwear stolen at the match at Ludlow yesterday.
Apparently we were 'debriefed' as one kindly told me! Ah well it's all good fun!
MONDAY 25th August 2003 - When I read through my diary, I often find some glaringly silly spelling mistakes and perhaps grammer, well you see, when I get thinking of what to write and get typing I type that fast I don't have time to check any mistakes, I guess it just makes me look like I'm note very good at English.. well I have a few weaknesses, their and there is a famous one, but I try and that's all I can do - so don't moan like some people do and accept my misgivings.... please...!
Enjoyed the day today, out at Ludlow at their new Stadium, even though I had a good performance on the pitch it was rare to find that we found at the end of the game that somebody had stolen some things from our changing room... luckily nothing of great value... and until a proper investigation is undertaken I'll keep my comment to myself for now... needless to say I hope they get to the bottom if it, with a punn intended, it was something to laugh about later....
SUNDAY 24th August 2003 - I'm beginning to wonder whether it will ever rain down in Basingstoke, I mean ever since I've moved in there has been no water falling at all. It did when viewing properties down there, but since moving in... nahh, the weather has been really warm and sunny, plus the view of loads and loads of trees, I'm thinking are the plants gonna live without any water? Anyway, the hanging basket looks great, our inhouse gardener Wei is keeping it in good shape, feeding it every other day to very good effect! Fantastic job! I'll have to take some photos soon!
SATURDAY 23rd August 2003 - I think I'm now getting back into the football season, last weeks game was a bit of a let-down, but today was much better and I'm glad I put in a credible performance, keeping myself focused and calm even when those around me started to loose their heads. I can't believe how people can get so wound up, so worked up over a game of football - call it passion, call it dedication? I call it raising your blood pressure to the point of doing damage to your health.... is it worth it? No I don't think so, so why take it so seriously?
FRIDAY 22nd August 2003 - It's been confirmed that I shall be Refereeing on the Combined Counties League this season, which covers a very wide area, much larger than my previous League... it includes Hampshire, Oxon, Berkshire (must remember to pronounce that County properly and not berk-shire but bark-shire!), Surrey, Sussex and Middlesex - so I could be covering some more miles. Saying that I covered 33333 miles on my car today... it's amazing that I've covered that many miles in around 400 days, now that equates to an average of around 83 miles a DAY... gosh....
Updated Life in the Stars and Sport today.
THURSDAY 21st August 2003 - Spent the morning and earlier afternoon in meetings at a company which adopts a dress down policy, so it was quite weird attending a business meeting in casual clothes, and I'm note sure Rich's t-shirt was appropriate.... good bust, bad bust logos which included a woman in a bikini...mmmmmm!, before heading back home then back up to Bewdley for the evening, then back to my folks house for the night... so covered a few mile today... nevertheless it was a good day.. if eventful... for the first time in my life I called the emergency services 999 following an accident on the motorway when a horse box decided to detach itself from its towing vehicle before ploughing into the central reservation....luckily no one else was involved, at to think about 20 seconds earlier I could of been involved was a little thought that crossed my mind.... anyway it's a risky business.
I also said to Rich today that "my life is never ordinary, there is always something happening in my life" .. "I will not always take an easy path"... a true, honest opinion....
Ohhh and I must say Wei is a very good cook... well at least tonight anyway... the spaghetti bolognaise was fantastic.. probably one, if not the best i've ever had.... it is my favourite meal after all....
WEDNESDAY 20th August 2003 - Training day today, which went smoothly, even finished early so had quite a nice evening just chilling out mainly. Watched another DVD tonight seeing as though Rich was staying another night... and who drank like billy the fish... (only joking!) .. we watched The Long Kiss Goodnight... pretty funny .. though Samuel L Jackson plays a very good part... very cool.
TUESDAY 19th August 2003 - Travelled home tonight ready for a couple of days out of the office for a training day Wednesday and a business meeting Thursday. Watched Planet of the Apes tonight.. a strange movie, virtually a one man acted movie... or so it seemed... Mark Wahlberg was pretty much 90% in the picture... like a football match statistics he would record the most possession!
MONDAY 18th August 2003 - Welcome back Helena! I dunno, claims she's leaving, get's leaving presents and has an evening 'session', but hey, a month later she's back!!! Well, I hope she enjoyed her 'holiday' he he - it's good to have her working at the office again though! I think I might claim to be leaving soon, perhaps I'll get some presents!!
It's late now, but I think I'm gonna get ready for a run tonight, I'm stocking on the water intake and when I get back I'll be having some eye drops again... they taste horrible! no I don't drink it, but it does filter down to your throat after droping in your eye (that's if I can get them in my eye!!!)
SUNDAY 17th August 2003 - Back into DIY mode again today and shopping of course, this seems to be a regular occurence on a weekend lately, I suppose when you buy a new place you've got to gradually get things to put in it. Today was a new desk for the bedroom, and of course as is normal flatpacked, so too was the chair - it's called a 'back chair', it's an orthopeodic chair where you sit and rest your knees on a pad infront of you, so you don't lean back! Anyway, it all worked out rather well in the end. Even got a new ironing board, so of course I was flat out!
SATURDAY 16th August 2003 - First official fixture of the season down in Cinderford, probably a nice little town in Gloucestershire, not that easy to find, but nevertheless the people seemed friendly enough, even if you make a dodgy decision - it was forgotten quite quickly. In fact the Manager was a bit like that, he would make some snide remark and then drop it, like at the end, "You're the worst referee we've had all season" he quipped, then shock hands and walked away, that just summed him up! In contrast the other manager said "Welldone Ref, very well controlled I thought you had an excellent game". Well that's two different opinions for you! Some for, Some against..... typical, but realistic of the world we live in..... some thought for the day perhaps!
Glad to be back home in the evening, had some chinese medicine - it worked!! Hopefully it'll last!
FRIDAY 15th August 2003 - Made it through another days training which was enjoyable if a little hard concentrating. Went out for a few hours in the evening, but still 'bloodshot' in the eye. Preparation for the first game of season as well tonight.
Ever imaged what it would be like without electricity? The latest events in New York and for 50 million people around and in the summer must have been pretty uncomfortable. Still, when was electricity applied as a 'norm' and what would life of been like without it.... interesting thought.
THURSDAY 14th August 2003 - Another 'feel good' day having spent some extra time working tonight and getting quite a few jobs done. The days' training was mentally challenging with lots of information coming in - but will it stay there that's the thing!! Anyway one more days training tomorrow and then some real practice I'm sure will put me right. I'm worried about my eye - I think that has become infected too and my throat is worse.... I dunno what's the matter with me..!
WEDNESDAY 13th August 2003 - Got a lot acheived at the office today and even stayed on longer cause I enjoyed it that much!! Went training in the evening for an hour which was excellent... I thought it would either kill or cure me... my ear and eye has still been playing up, though I was really pleased with my output on the training. I did the cooper test and passed it quite comfortably in the end, considering I hadn't trained for a few weeks I was chuffed.
TUESDAY 12th August 2003 - I DID A FULL DAY'S WORK! okay, yes I'm being sarcastic, but hey I perhaps shouldn't have done, cause my right eye is now playing up! It wasn't healthy all day, that gave me a headache later, though I did get quite a bit of work done today which was pleasing. The evening saw my computer 'bugged' by the latest infection - it's spreading to my computer now! I can't beleive it!!! Anyway I think I got a fix for it so that should be okay in the morning.
How can people take pleasure from deriving bugs which infect and destroy computer systems... sick! If it was any consolation about 70,000 computers and growing were infected with this virus which is spreading worldwide....
MONDAY 11th August 2003 - Travelling back up to the office this morning - it's taking me exactly 1 hour 53 minutes when I've done it, amazing!! Anyway I struggled with my head and throat no better so it was off back to the doctors this time with a new set of anti-biotics and a longer dose... I don't like taking medicine but I think something needs to be take if I'm get out of this health slump.
SUNDAY 10th August 2003 - Was it hot or was it hot!! geeee talk about the hottest day of the year! We bought a freeview box today, with more channels - well I don't watch much TV, but it does give us a greater selection of channels to watch which is great longterm.
My effort to make lunch was rather pathetic in the end when the toasted sandwiches were burnt - I just can't seem to do anything right lately, I don't know whether it's me or my self-confidence is low, I think it's because I'm run down. Bit like an old car, always having trouble starting, and then faultering as it's going along.... I NEED A RECHARGE!!... or perhaps I need a new body and mind...
SATURDAY 9th August 2003 - Try getting some rest ehh? mmm not likely! Woken up by the postman at 8.30am was a good start with a delivery of a new hanging basket for the balcony... I'm not much of a gardener myself (no green fingers!) so it was Wei who took the initiative and after we'd got some new plants he set about doing the gardening 'bit' - in fact it looks pretty good!!
Ohhh I did acheive something today... I fitted a new toilet seat and shower curtain....okay... okay... next....
FRIDAY 8th August 2003 - Took some more time off work to try and re-couperate. Went home in the late afternoon and spent the evening just trying to relax for a while. The temperature seems to be hotter down south, though I would expect that to be the case being closer to the English Channel.
THURSDAY 7th August 2003 - When I woke up I thought I was rough, but having showered and prepared for the day ahead I wasn't too bad, though the medicine will take a good few days to take any effect it was around the house I stayed, catching up with a few things, even doing a bit of work (thanks Rich!).. I've even recommenced reading a book I had left for over a year.... John Major's autobiography... it's not such a boring read after all and quite interesting readin the life of Prime Minister... Thanks for the messages of support... I bet Vicky is sweltering in 32c degrees of heat in the office... good luck!!! Enjoy the Ice creams! It's frustrating not being able to work.. though I think I need more strength first, plus my ear cracks even when I walk outside and a car passes by.. eeeeeeeeehh.
WEDNESDAY 6th August 2003 - So what happens this morning.. mmm a pounding earache...so after some careful persuasion I was off to the Doctors in the afternoon who took one look into my mouth and said "mmmmm" then into my left ear and "yes - it's a bit red" "You have two infections one in your throat and one in your ear". "Now take these anti-biotics for five days!" So that was the story of the day today! I didn't even feel the heat today, cause I had a chill... perhaps that wasn't such a bad thing after all from what I hear it was a scorcher!!
TUESDAY 5th August 2003 - The stomach pains gone... now the headache.... and still very little apetite for eating, so toast was the order of the day... though less sleep and more sitting up today than Monday... it's so frustrating I wish I could do more but I feel quite lethargic at the moment and apparantly quite pale as my Dad tells me...
MONDAY 4th August 2003 - Gee, if I thought the day was going to be as it happened I would of stayed in bed!! Yes once I'd got to work, I began to start feeling ill, so up came some breakfast and I was off to my parents house where I virtually slept from 12 till 8, still with stomach ache I resorted to drinking lemonade and Milk of Magnesia..... mmmmm.