A great weekend 19/06/2006
Thanks for tuning back in folks. Felt a little tired on Monday but working with my colleagues always cheers me up. I think my new eating regime, or attempt at one, might be having negative effects on my personality. Don't know if the amount of sugar and E numbers in my usual crap kept me chirpy but I seemed a lot more snitty at the beginning of the week. Temper seemed a little shorter and patience a little thinner. I don't like being a misery so did my best to bury it. My swimming session seemed to do little to curb my 'on edge-ness' and another night of muggy bedroom and little sleep meant that I was hardly peaking on a cloud of happiness by Tuesday morning.
I'm disappointed with the world cup highlights that are getting shown on the TV. I always try and watch a good smattering of games in the World Cup but the live matches are on when I'm at work and then the highlights seem disappointingly short and doesn't give a good flavour of the game. The BBC coverage is particularly frustrating. Endless chat from second rate pundits but about five minutes of in game footage. I know it's selfish but I could do with it being played in some far flung location so that the games were all played late at night which would suit me fine. It was Lost double bill again and it was enjoyable, though not as much so as the previous session. I don't know if we are entering the statutory mid season dip but I hope not.
Not having been to the gym for about a week I was expecting a poor session but managed to turn in a blinder. I kept saying I'd do another five minutes and stop but although I had less time than normal still banged in a respectable 900 calorie burn. Thursday was fun. We had something to be couriered to us from another agency. They claimed they had sent it and it had been signed for by me on Tuesday evening. I hadn't seen it and both of us were at an impasse blaming the other for lying. I knew it hadn't come in but began to doubt myself. I was also concerned what image it represented of the company. My stress levels began to rise as we tried to resolve the situation without wagging fingers but I was ready to go ballistic. I don't mind admitting when I'm wrong but being wrongfully accused is unfair and nothing winds me up more than being blamed for something I didn't do. We managed to not involve the client and discovered the following day when I was faxed through the sheet that I was supposed to have signed that this cheeky shit of a courier had simply made up a signature. Lazy bastard, because he couldn't find us or wanted to get home he'd simply fabricated a signature and lied to his controller. That one action led to all this mess. It was nice to be vindicated but shocking that this kind of practice would happen.
The day was finished off with a frankly miserable England performance against Trinidad & Tobago. Granted we won 2-0 and effectively qualified for the next round but it was the manner of our victory. Lazy, uninspiring and undeserved in my book. John Terry had to do a goal line clearance at the end of the first half which had it gone in would, I'm sure, have changed the makeup of the game. Our supposed team of superstars, who at one point were tipped as second favourites to win the cup looked very average and lacking in invention and passion.
Was up surprisingly early on Saturday as I needed to get my hair cut and pick up some bits before getting on the road to my relatives in Reading. Picked up a new CD from HMW for the journey, DJ Tiesto - Search for Sunrise 5, and then some sandals. They were quite cool and not the type that I would wear with socks or anything. It's funny that after the sales assistant went back into the stock room to get the sandals which were a size 9 when ideally I wanted a 10 I got a sudden pang of conscious that I hadn't really looked in any other shops. My brothers words a few weeks back when I showed him another pair where still ringing in my ear that they looked old fashioned. I bolted for the door to check out some other shops. Needless to say there weren't any in other shops and I realised that I did in fact want the ones from that shop. How could I go back in without looking a twat? To be honest I couldn't but I strode back in regardless, smiled at the assistant and apologised for having had to leave to take an important call.
Got my stuff together and hit the road at just before 12.00. I'd got a CD for the journey, some mint humbugs and a small cool bag with a couple of rolls, ribenas and crisps. I was looking forward to the journey and bonding with my car. Waited until I got through the congestion that seemed to last until junction six before breaking out the provisions. It may have created a few crumbs but you can't beat the bonding process of eating en route. At one point coming round the motorwayk I saw some automated gantry signs warning of fog. At 1.20 on a hot afternoon this raised a chuckle. The album was ok with a few standout tracks but not the consistent quality of Armin's works.
Got to the barbeque and it was a relaxed affair. The sun was out and although I slapped some lotion on there was plenty of shade which I kept unintentionally finding myself in. I'm good in small doses so I tried to be funny and memorable for 5-10 minutes with people that I was introduced to before I scuttled off to someone else or took up position by one of the barbeques. It was nice to just chill to be fair. I had a laugh cooking the burgers and sausages with a fellow chef and our efforts to outshine the host who was cooking the chicken on his grill. A few nice burgers and I finished with a little alcohol which helped get me a little dozy and lead to a really good sleep.
Up and round to my aunt (it's complicated as basically she is my grandad's second wife but is who I have kept the most contact with on that side of the family) for some brekkie and a chat. She lives in a granny annexe on the side of the house. Not having seen her for five months I think she enjoyed rustling up a little breakfast for me and I enjoyed her company and the meal, which was bacon, egg and sausages. As I'd stayed over for the night I wasn't sure what their plans were and whether they wanted me to remain for the day or head off but as they were going out for a lunchtime meal, I got my stuff together and hit the road around midday. My mates's brother had during the week bought some paintball guns and was keen to try them out and had invited me and my bro down that Sunday afternoon. Confirmed my attendance en route back which was uneventful bar a silver range rover who was up for my arse for the first leg on the M25. I let him go past even though I hadn't been holding him up and he attempted to speed off in a wanky, 'I control the road and am far to important to chug along behind anyone' way. Amazingly I managed to catch him up as he hadn't been able to get that far in front of me and just before my turn off he pulled over and let me speed past him. Small pathetic victory but I confess to letting out a little battle cry as I overtook him. Amazing the things you notice or games you play when bored on the road.
Got in and caught the end of the MotoGP, which looked like it had been a tad tedious with Rossi romping to victory after a big, starting grid crash wiped out a good few of his rivals. I then threw my paintballing stuff in a bag and headed down to my mate's brothers place in rural Kent. It's lovely scenery down there and still being a lovely day, it felt good heading down the country lanes with the window open, shades on and the wind ruffling my hair. Got to their place, had a laugh and a drink and then got changed for some paintball. Compared to the Tippman 98's that we used the previous weekend these were some serious guns. Spyders if anyone is interested. They have an electronic feeder and trigger enabling them to go fully auto and fire up to 15 rounds a second. They are lightweight, accurate for a fair range and fire straighter and truer than anything I've ever fired before. Outstanding guns, really impressive.
We played a few games of hide in the farm trailer while the others attacked it. My mate cracked his brother on the head with a beauty which made him glad he'd worn the fleece beanie hat that I'd urged him to do despite his protests that we were being nancy boys. I also managed to smack him with a peach of a shot in the face mask for his troubles. I went in the trailer later on and it was a little frightening laying down in it fearful of putting your head up as the paintballs whipped overhead. They were almost like muted laser beam sounds from a sci fi film as they literally cut through the air. We took turns in a solo game where we basically tried to remove a tea towel from a post as the hosts two daughters (8 & 4) shot as us. They loved it immensely and were surprisingly good shots, expecially the eight year old. We finished with a deathmatch style game in the woods. I holed up in the middle and waited, suddenly aware that I was being buzzed by an assortment of midges and flies but trying not to be occupied with killing them and receive a train of paintballs in the side of my head. I saw someone coming through the trees, took aim and let off a few rounds. Unbeknown to me I'd hit him with my first shot but who was taking prisoners. I darted away and hid. A few minutes later he came through the trees again. Maybe I should have let him walk onto the barrel of the other player who was also prowling the woods but I took my shot and we opened up a salvo. Paintballs were ripping through the foliage and I was returning fire as much as I could. I squeezed behind a tree as he peppered the other side with yellow paint. I fired another burst and made a run for it. This was my downfall. He gave chase and balls were zipping past me like angry bees. I crashed to the ground behind a tree with him about ten feet away. We traded some more fire and I hoped that the other player might come in to pick him off but alas no. He got a bead on me and stitched a bead of automatic fire up my arm. As the 4th or 5th ball seemed to hit exactly the same place the pain became too much and I shouted 'ok, ok' and surrendered. We left the woods swapping war stories and took off our masks, scarfs, gloves, hats and jackets. We were asked if we wanted to stay for tea, which we accepted.
My brothers mate had already got the quads out so we hopped on those and the two of us went for a spin around the fields. They took a bit of time to get used to as they were geared but by using a foot gear lever, which I've never used before. Had some real fun and it was nice to cool down with the wind in your face after the heat of the paintball clothing. After about fifteen minutes we were waved back to the garden and parked up.
The table had been laid for dinner and I saw the hosts wife carrying out some food. I took my seat at the table replete with table cloth, cutlery and a choice of drinks as a selection of fantastic food was brought out. Roast beef and chicken, roast potatoes, yorkshire puds, selection of vegetables and gravy. What a spread! It was like something out of the Darling buds of May. Sitting in the garden with birds singing away and a light breeze, tucking into some yummy food. Sod the diet I thought. I'd burnt off plenty of calories during the day and I wasn't going to let the pursuit of weight loss affect my enjoyment of the day. The food and company was excellent and I went for second helpings. I could feel myself unwinding and dessert consisted of these delicious profiteroles. They were great because the there was plenty of chocolate sauce and the density of cream within was high. Relaxing after the meal I could certainly see the attraction of living in the country. The two daughters, who I must confess are adorable for their politeness and general happiness, wanted to go and play on the trampoline and I accompanied them over to keep them company. They clambered in and started bouncing up and down which seemed to ellicit a laugh/scream on every bounce. They wanted me to join in so I took off my shoes and clambered in.
It was really nice playing with the girls but I'm aware that one has to be careful who you say this to. A single guy in his 30's admitting that he had fun playing with two young girls conjures images of sickness and perversion to some people. What I enjoyed was their laughing and happiness and how me playing with them seemed to bring real delight. One gets used to being judged by everyone you encounter yet here I wasn't judged on my position or status and was purely liked because I was entertaining them. In their company I felt like I could act like a kid without feeling I should 'grow up'. I felt like I'd been given a youth tablet and felt really young again.
Normally when I come across kids I enter with a cynical attitude expecting them to be surly, miserable and spoilt yet these two were bright, cheerful, well balanced and happy and I really enjoyed their company. Is that wrong to admit. Will I be judged a little twisted for saying this. I complimented their mum on how nice they were but even then felt a little conscious that I might be thought of as strange. Not because their mum was unkind but the media paranoia and frenzy about paedophilia seems to send these waves through society to the point where I felt bad for saying that I liked them. At one point when we were in the trampoline net the girls said they wanted to play a game of trying to take my socks off me and then I had to get them back. Naturally it was a purely innocent suggestion from the girls who simply wanted to play a game but I couldn't help but try to dissuade them from wanting to play it. I was aware that the game would involve touching and even though I know the parents have nothing to fear from me didn't want anyone thinking that I had instigated a game that involved touching. Isn't it a shame nowadays that one can feel like this.
They had to go to bed naturally and I must confess that the trampoline gave me a good final workout in a way. I helped pack up the stuff and as the sky turned dark I bid my farewells and started the drive home. I felt truly content on the way home. I'd had a wonderful day, played with some boys toys, had a nice meal in lovely surroundings and been in the company of nice, friendly people. I felt like I'd really done something with the weekend. I confess to feeling a touch of envy, and not in an unpleasant jealous way, for my mate's brother. I know the grass is greener on the other side but he had a nice place in the country, a lovely wife and two great kids. Is this the model to aspire towards? it could well be.
I did a fair chunk of miles this weekend, probably around 400, and it was all worthwhile. I'd had probably my best Sunday of the year and I felt more whole and more in touch with the simple pleasures that life can bring.
I'm disappointed with the world cup highlights that are getting shown on the TV. I always try and watch a good smattering of games in the World Cup but the live matches are on when I'm at work and then the highlights seem disappointingly short and doesn't give a good flavour of the game. The BBC coverage is particularly frustrating. Endless chat from second rate pundits but about five minutes of in game footage. I know it's selfish but I could do with it being played in some far flung location so that the games were all played late at night which would suit me fine. It was Lost double bill again and it was enjoyable, though not as much so as the previous session. I don't know if we are entering the statutory mid season dip but I hope not.
Not having been to the gym for about a week I was expecting a poor session but managed to turn in a blinder. I kept saying I'd do another five minutes and stop but although I had less time than normal still banged in a respectable 900 calorie burn. Thursday was fun. We had something to be couriered to us from another agency. They claimed they had sent it and it had been signed for by me on Tuesday evening. I hadn't seen it and both of us were at an impasse blaming the other for lying. I knew it hadn't come in but began to doubt myself. I was also concerned what image it represented of the company. My stress levels began to rise as we tried to resolve the situation without wagging fingers but I was ready to go ballistic. I don't mind admitting when I'm wrong but being wrongfully accused is unfair and nothing winds me up more than being blamed for something I didn't do. We managed to not involve the client and discovered the following day when I was faxed through the sheet that I was supposed to have signed that this cheeky shit of a courier had simply made up a signature. Lazy bastard, because he couldn't find us or wanted to get home he'd simply fabricated a signature and lied to his controller. That one action led to all this mess. It was nice to be vindicated but shocking that this kind of practice would happen.
The day was finished off with a frankly miserable England performance against Trinidad & Tobago. Granted we won 2-0 and effectively qualified for the next round but it was the manner of our victory. Lazy, uninspiring and undeserved in my book. John Terry had to do a goal line clearance at the end of the first half which had it gone in would, I'm sure, have changed the makeup of the game. Our supposed team of superstars, who at one point were tipped as second favourites to win the cup looked very average and lacking in invention and passion.
Was up surprisingly early on Saturday as I needed to get my hair cut and pick up some bits before getting on the road to my relatives in Reading. Picked up a new CD from HMW for the journey, DJ Tiesto - Search for Sunrise 5, and then some sandals. They were quite cool and not the type that I would wear with socks or anything. It's funny that after the sales assistant went back into the stock room to get the sandals which were a size 9 when ideally I wanted a 10 I got a sudden pang of conscious that I hadn't really looked in any other shops. My brothers words a few weeks back when I showed him another pair where still ringing in my ear that they looked old fashioned. I bolted for the door to check out some other shops. Needless to say there weren't any in other shops and I realised that I did in fact want the ones from that shop. How could I go back in without looking a twat? To be honest I couldn't but I strode back in regardless, smiled at the assistant and apologised for having had to leave to take an important call.
Got my stuff together and hit the road at just before 12.00. I'd got a CD for the journey, some mint humbugs and a small cool bag with a couple of rolls, ribenas and crisps. I was looking forward to the journey and bonding with my car. Waited until I got through the congestion that seemed to last until junction six before breaking out the provisions. It may have created a few crumbs but you can't beat the bonding process of eating en route. At one point coming round the motorwayk I saw some automated gantry signs warning of fog. At 1.20 on a hot afternoon this raised a chuckle. The album was ok with a few standout tracks but not the consistent quality of Armin's works.
Got to the barbeque and it was a relaxed affair. The sun was out and although I slapped some lotion on there was plenty of shade which I kept unintentionally finding myself in. I'm good in small doses so I tried to be funny and memorable for 5-10 minutes with people that I was introduced to before I scuttled off to someone else or took up position by one of the barbeques. It was nice to just chill to be fair. I had a laugh cooking the burgers and sausages with a fellow chef and our efforts to outshine the host who was cooking the chicken on his grill. A few nice burgers and I finished with a little alcohol which helped get me a little dozy and lead to a really good sleep.
Up and round to my aunt (it's complicated as basically she is my grandad's second wife but is who I have kept the most contact with on that side of the family) for some brekkie and a chat. She lives in a granny annexe on the side of the house. Not having seen her for five months I think she enjoyed rustling up a little breakfast for me and I enjoyed her company and the meal, which was bacon, egg and sausages. As I'd stayed over for the night I wasn't sure what their plans were and whether they wanted me to remain for the day or head off but as they were going out for a lunchtime meal, I got my stuff together and hit the road around midday. My mates's brother had during the week bought some paintball guns and was keen to try them out and had invited me and my bro down that Sunday afternoon. Confirmed my attendance en route back which was uneventful bar a silver range rover who was up for my arse for the first leg on the M25. I let him go past even though I hadn't been holding him up and he attempted to speed off in a wanky, 'I control the road and am far to important to chug along behind anyone' way. Amazingly I managed to catch him up as he hadn't been able to get that far in front of me and just before my turn off he pulled over and let me speed past him. Small pathetic victory but I confess to letting out a little battle cry as I overtook him. Amazing the things you notice or games you play when bored on the road.
Got in and caught the end of the MotoGP, which looked like it had been a tad tedious with Rossi romping to victory after a big, starting grid crash wiped out a good few of his rivals. I then threw my paintballing stuff in a bag and headed down to my mate's brothers place in rural Kent. It's lovely scenery down there and still being a lovely day, it felt good heading down the country lanes with the window open, shades on and the wind ruffling my hair. Got to their place, had a laugh and a drink and then got changed for some paintball. Compared to the Tippman 98's that we used the previous weekend these were some serious guns. Spyders if anyone is interested. They have an electronic feeder and trigger enabling them to go fully auto and fire up to 15 rounds a second. They are lightweight, accurate for a fair range and fire straighter and truer than anything I've ever fired before. Outstanding guns, really impressive.
We played a few games of hide in the farm trailer while the others attacked it. My mate cracked his brother on the head with a beauty which made him glad he'd worn the fleece beanie hat that I'd urged him to do despite his protests that we were being nancy boys. I also managed to smack him with a peach of a shot in the face mask for his troubles. I went in the trailer later on and it was a little frightening laying down in it fearful of putting your head up as the paintballs whipped overhead. They were almost like muted laser beam sounds from a sci fi film as they literally cut through the air. We took turns in a solo game where we basically tried to remove a tea towel from a post as the hosts two daughters (8 & 4) shot as us. They loved it immensely and were surprisingly good shots, expecially the eight year old. We finished with a deathmatch style game in the woods. I holed up in the middle and waited, suddenly aware that I was being buzzed by an assortment of midges and flies but trying not to be occupied with killing them and receive a train of paintballs in the side of my head. I saw someone coming through the trees, took aim and let off a few rounds. Unbeknown to me I'd hit him with my first shot but who was taking prisoners. I darted away and hid. A few minutes later he came through the trees again. Maybe I should have let him walk onto the barrel of the other player who was also prowling the woods but I took my shot and we opened up a salvo. Paintballs were ripping through the foliage and I was returning fire as much as I could. I squeezed behind a tree as he peppered the other side with yellow paint. I fired another burst and made a run for it. This was my downfall. He gave chase and balls were zipping past me like angry bees. I crashed to the ground behind a tree with him about ten feet away. We traded some more fire and I hoped that the other player might come in to pick him off but alas no. He got a bead on me and stitched a bead of automatic fire up my arm. As the 4th or 5th ball seemed to hit exactly the same place the pain became too much and I shouted 'ok, ok' and surrendered. We left the woods swapping war stories and took off our masks, scarfs, gloves, hats and jackets. We were asked if we wanted to stay for tea, which we accepted.
My brothers mate had already got the quads out so we hopped on those and the two of us went for a spin around the fields. They took a bit of time to get used to as they were geared but by using a foot gear lever, which I've never used before. Had some real fun and it was nice to cool down with the wind in your face after the heat of the paintball clothing. After about fifteen minutes we were waved back to the garden and parked up.
The table had been laid for dinner and I saw the hosts wife carrying out some food. I took my seat at the table replete with table cloth, cutlery and a choice of drinks as a selection of fantastic food was brought out. Roast beef and chicken, roast potatoes, yorkshire puds, selection of vegetables and gravy. What a spread! It was like something out of the Darling buds of May. Sitting in the garden with birds singing away and a light breeze, tucking into some yummy food. Sod the diet I thought. I'd burnt off plenty of calories during the day and I wasn't going to let the pursuit of weight loss affect my enjoyment of the day. The food and company was excellent and I went for second helpings. I could feel myself unwinding and dessert consisted of these delicious profiteroles. They were great because the there was plenty of chocolate sauce and the density of cream within was high. Relaxing after the meal I could certainly see the attraction of living in the country. The two daughters, who I must confess are adorable for their politeness and general happiness, wanted to go and play on the trampoline and I accompanied them over to keep them company. They clambered in and started bouncing up and down which seemed to ellicit a laugh/scream on every bounce. They wanted me to join in so I took off my shoes and clambered in.
It was really nice playing with the girls but I'm aware that one has to be careful who you say this to. A single guy in his 30's admitting that he had fun playing with two young girls conjures images of sickness and perversion to some people. What I enjoyed was their laughing and happiness and how me playing with them seemed to bring real delight. One gets used to being judged by everyone you encounter yet here I wasn't judged on my position or status and was purely liked because I was entertaining them. In their company I felt like I could act like a kid without feeling I should 'grow up'. I felt like I'd been given a youth tablet and felt really young again.
Normally when I come across kids I enter with a cynical attitude expecting them to be surly, miserable and spoilt yet these two were bright, cheerful, well balanced and happy and I really enjoyed their company. Is that wrong to admit. Will I be judged a little twisted for saying this. I complimented their mum on how nice they were but even then felt a little conscious that I might be thought of as strange. Not because their mum was unkind but the media paranoia and frenzy about paedophilia seems to send these waves through society to the point where I felt bad for saying that I liked them. At one point when we were in the trampoline net the girls said they wanted to play a game of trying to take my socks off me and then I had to get them back. Naturally it was a purely innocent suggestion from the girls who simply wanted to play a game but I couldn't help but try to dissuade them from wanting to play it. I was aware that the game would involve touching and even though I know the parents have nothing to fear from me didn't want anyone thinking that I had instigated a game that involved touching. Isn't it a shame nowadays that one can feel like this.
They had to go to bed naturally and I must confess that the trampoline gave me a good final workout in a way. I helped pack up the stuff and as the sky turned dark I bid my farewells and started the drive home. I felt truly content on the way home. I'd had a wonderful day, played with some boys toys, had a nice meal in lovely surroundings and been in the company of nice, friendly people. I felt like I'd really done something with the weekend. I confess to feeling a touch of envy, and not in an unpleasant jealous way, for my mate's brother. I know the grass is greener on the other side but he had a nice place in the country, a lovely wife and two great kids. Is this the model to aspire towards? it could well be.
I did a fair chunk of miles this weekend, probably around 400, and it was all worthwhile. I'd had probably my best Sunday of the year and I felt more whole and more in touch with the simple pleasures that life can bring.
posted by payne by name at 10:31 am
2 comments
