And breathe.

House sold OK, relax everyone. :-)
New subjects for blog in next few weeks. The search for Hally Towers 2.

Apprehensive

I was going to move Bob along a little tonight but I can't concentrate on my writing. I'm nervous about the house auction tonight, I'm scared that it won't sell for enough to cover all the things we need it to. So Bob will have to wait a bit longer before he goes to talk to Reverend Byng.
I should know by 11 pm GMT how much the house went for, if it goes that is.
Cross your fingers, hold your thumbs or do whatever you do for luck where you are. I will be on tenterhooks until later. Arrrgh!

100 words and its blinking freezing.

Well, Bob has moved forward another hundred words and now knows what he has to do, so that's a result. I'll write some more later but I have to do a bit of research into getting US citizenship in the 1860's and more about the Homestead Act so Bob can do what he needs to do to get The Story moving forward a bit faster.
Having said that, there's no real rush to get the thing finished. It's not like I have any sort of deadline. Writing this is just to keep me occupied so I can take my time and enjoy the process. I hate deadlines, so I shouldn't set them for myself when they aren't necessary. I have enough writing deadlines at work, thanks very much.
It is also blinking freezing, I'm sitting with the heater on and a blanket around my legs like a little old man. Mind you it could be argued that I am a little old man, although 54 is not old, it just feels like 104 at times. Today being one of them. Of course 4 bottles of Beck's and 4 cans of Old Speckled Hen last night doesn't exactly help me to feel young and bouncy today. I used to be able to drink, but I'm out of practice I suppose.
There is still some beer left so I can practice some more tonight since I've decided not to go out with the weather being so poor. I don't like the cold. That's probably why I live in a country that is generally cold. I could move but I'm not sure where. I had hoped that one day I could have gone to a warm part of the US with Mrs H but I don't think that is an option. You never know, but it doesn't feel like it is just at the moment.
OK, onwards and upwards, another cup of coffee and then we'll get some research done for Bob and The Story.
TTFN

Snow

It snowed a bit last night, not loads but it came as a bit of a surprise because it was forecast. Now there's a place for snow, just not here!
I had planned a trip into town to get my hair cut and have a couple of beers but I don't think I'll bother now, I can't face traipsing along the road in the cold and slippery conditions to do something that can wait.
Instead, I'm going to write a bit of The Story, poor Bob has been sitting with Heinrich and a bottle of whiskey for ages, he ought to have come up with a decision by now. So that's it, Bob will move on today I hope. Watch this space.
TTFN.

Deluding myself.

I have been thinking, I know, I know I've been told that I shouldn't but it just crept up on me and bosh! there I was thinking. Sorry it was an accidental think, it wasn't planned, it just sort of turned up uninvited. Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, I've been thinking that I've been deluding myself over the last few weeks if I ever imagined that I would be staying, no, I'm changing the subject.
It's been a funny old day, wet and drizzly, then sunny, then drizzly again. It's supposed to be cold tomorrow so we should expect a frosty start. We got loads done at work today, so that was good.
My new Samsung Galaxy SIII Android phone which was delivered yesterday is pretty good; I'm going to get a cover for I think to keep it from getting damaged. It's amazing what they can produce these days. I've owned less powerful computers in the past, mobile phone technology is incredible.
Still haven't won the Lotto, one day I suppose.
Going now as I can't write what I want to just in case, so I'll stop now and come back to the subject another day.
Until then, be safe and try to be happy.

Broadband is fun

Every month around this date it seems the download speeds on my broadband service plummet to unacceptably low levels. I phone the provider and every time they try to take me through the same old tests which only go to prove that it isn't my problem, it's their service to the router.
We managed to get a man on the moon in 1969, someone recently broke the speed of sound in a free fall parachute jump from the edge of space, people have lived in a space station and the Hubble space telescope can send back pin-sharp pictures from space but my ISP can't get a broadband service to work properly over a distance of 3 miles. They need to realise that they are supposed to be providing a service and me having to call once a month to get them to sort out this 'service' is not in any way shape or form a service.
ISPs always blame the customers and it is rarely the customer's fault. I wish they'd just sort themselves out!
Incoherent rant over, TTFN.

Run out of new stuff to say.

I've been writing so much on this blog lately about the house sale and the de-cluttering and how miserable I am that I'm starting to bore myself with it all. So I'm giving it a rest for a few days until I've got something worthwhile to say that doesn't bang on about the same old same old.
Until the house is sold and I know how much money I have to find a new place I'll shut up. Once I start looking for the new place in Amble or wherever I'll give you an insight into the fun I'm having, until then I'm keeping my gob shut unless I have something really, really interesting or important to report.
TTFN

Swing low.

I'm feeling a little low today. I was awake into the early hours of this morning worrying about the logistics and cost of this whole moving thing. There is so much to do and so many things to pay for. The only help I'm getting is from the Brother for which I'm very grateful.
I made a list of what needs to be done which helped me get to sleep but there is still that undercurrent of worry nagging away which won't go away until everything is sorted.
I will be in real need of a proper relaxing break somewhere, preferably warm, once everything is dealt with. I can then take stock and see what to do next.
I think this low mood is just a tiredness slump, I'm still looking forward to the move to a new life so I don't think depression has set in again. I certainly hope not, but, as I say it seems to be a mental and physical fatigue issue.
Anyway, that's all. I'm preparing myself for the Sunderland vs NUFC Derby game at lunchtime. I'll be in front of the TV with a couple of beers willing the Mighty Magpies on to victory.
TTFN.

The Weekend

This weekend started a little earlier than planned as I gave up the unequal struggle to work on the interview script and took Friday as a days holiday instead.
It's now Saturday and the weather looks good for another trip down to the tip. This time I'm taking old clothes to go in the clothing recycling bins. I'm slowly getting rid of stuff, but I'll be glad when it's sorted. Everything is a bit of a drag at the moment but once this is all done and the formalities are dealt with we should feel a lot more comfortable with life. Fingers crossed!
Coffee then the de-clutter continues. A load of bags in the van ready to go.
That's me back from the tip, sorry recycling centre and the sausages are on for brunch. 3 more viewings today plus one who just turned up and was told to make an appointment. Rude people, just expecting to be allowed into the place. Why does common courtesy walk out the door as soon as you put your house up for sale?
Anyway, the rest of today I'm setting aside to try and get some more of The Story written and maybe do a bit of reading. I'll start next Saturday with some more rooms; as I said, finish off the 'office' and move into either the spare bedroom or the dining room. Have I said that I'll be glad when all this is sorted? Thought so.
Been to the shop and topped up on kitty food and litter plus some beer for tonight and the match tomorrow. Chilling watching St Mirren vs Celtic, it's not going well for the Buddies, Celtic up 4-0 at half time. NUFC connections on both sides with Paul Dummett on for the Buddies and Fraser Forster in goal for Celtic. I doubt there'll be any heroic comebacks but you never know.
I was right, no comeback. Now sitting hemmed in by kitties again with a beer and rugby league on the TV. Might go for a snooze once the beer is finished, assuming I can get out from under the kitty pile.
Back from a good snooze. Tea is now cooking; pork chops sliced into strips with cubed potatoes in a tomato and vegetable sauce doing slowly in the oven.  That was tea and it was lovely, mind you as I said on Twitter, self praise is no praise at all. That doesn't alter the fact it was lovely.
Now for a bit of TV and maybe another beer whilst hoping that the Lotto comes up.
TTFN

Not Foggy Friday

Finally the fog has lifted and the sun has made a welcome appearance. I however, am now hemmed in by two snoozing kitties who have decided that they should have a competition to find out how close they can get to me without actually wearing my shirt. They do make good company though even if they aren't the finest conversationalists I've ever encountered. Also on the plus side they are not as heavy and slobbery as some dogs I've met. Now I like dogs but I wouldn't want to have one as a pet. All that taking them out for walks on wet and miserable evenings in the winter puts me off straight away, me being a) lazy and b) not fond of being cold and/or wet.
Something else that has been exercising my braincell lately is the desire to be able to make a living as a writer and blogster. After 35 years as a shiny arsed pen-pusher working for Her Majesty I would like to be able to be a shiny arsed pen-pusher working for myself. I wonder what the best way to make that transition would be? I suppose I should persevere with The Story and keep rambling on here until the penny drops with the public at large that I am a genius who should be feted and showered with money and accolades. Feel free to start any time.

Foggy Friday

It's a foggy Friday morning and today I decided to work at home on an interview script which needs to be expanded to have a bit more detail added. I've got the skeleton and a general direction so it shouldn't be to difficult. I decided to work at home because it is hard to concentrate in the office surrounded by people shouting across desks to one another and holding loud conversations right behind where I sit. The joys of the open plan office, it just takes one person with a loud or distinctive voice to kill the ability to concentrate.
Added to that I hate driving in the fog, so I'll not risk going out in it today.
I might also have another look at the dreaded Power Point presentation (I love alliteration, me) and try to add a few more notes and some slides. If you hear screams you'll know I'm working on the PP.
On a different subject, at least the fog has lifted a little on the de-cluttering. Tomorrow I intend to take all the old clothes I bagged up the other week down to the recycling centre along with a load of old papers out of the 'office'. If I can get that little room sorted out it will lift the inertia that was starting to settle back upon me this week.My Brother will be down next Saturday so we can start on the other rooms, depending on how the 'office' goes I might start on the dining room and continue with that if needs be the following week when the Brother is here. Then I think the spare bedroom, the main bedroom and finally the sitting room. By then it should be around the end of November and at that point I can get the movers in to take the furniture and household effects into storage until the new place is found and bought. I'll take the other stuff to self storage and myself to my temporary accommodation, either with the brother or wherever.
Tell you what though. It will be good once the house sale is done with and everyone is paid so I know how much is left for a new place. I hope that then this underlying anxious feeling will go away and I can relax a bit.
To be able to relax would be great, it has been a long time since I could sit back without the nagging feeling in the back of my mind that something is wrong. I really hope that a change of location and fewer financial commitments will make for a more relaxed Heddonlad. A more relaxed Heddonlad means a more fun Heddonlad which in turn benefits everyone, well some people anyway, let's not get carried away.
I don't actually remember the last time I was truly relaxed and comfortable with life. There always seems to be something. Now though I am going to try and worry less about the things I can't influence and do something about the things that I can, instead of concerning myself with the former and worrying about the latter.
I really should do some work on that interview script, at this rate I'll be working on it at midnight. I should close the Twitter and Facebook tabs, stop looking at e-mails and writing on here and get on with it. Can procrastination be classed as a hobby?
If this working thing doesn't start soon I think I'll just bite the bullet, accept the inevitable and take the day as holiday, eases the guilt and legitimises doing diddly-squat all day except blog and write. Its not that I'm not productive,its just that my productivity is leaning towards the extra-curricular today. Decision made, day off it is.
The Story continues. 4001 words and Bob is now on the horns of a dilemma. It seems neither of his jobs are suitable to allow him to marry Helen. One is unacceptable to Reverend Byng, the other too dangerous in the eyes of his prospective bride. As we speak he is talking to his boss Heinrich over a bottle of whiskey, trying to work out what to do. I wonder, is it wise for Bob to plan his future with a drink on board? We shall see, I hope!

Chicken

Tonight I will be having chicken. I found some frozen chicken breasts in the freezer so I'm cooking them up and will have them tonight for tea.
I love chicken, not as much as I love scones, or cake, or even beer but in the list of foodstuffs I love its up there next to mince. Where was I? Oh yes, chicken, I have a very soft spot for chicken as do the kitties who will not rest until they have had their share. Actually I'm a bit bored with talking about chicken much as I love it, I think I'll change the subject.
I'm a bit bored, I'm stuck at an impasse with The Story, I can't get Bob to move forward. I really need to have a look again at how he leaves Cleveland OH, if in fact he does leave yet. Maybe he should stay for a few thousand more words and have a couple more adventures, maybe not adventures as such, more like life really. He doesn't have to leap tall buildings and rescue damsels in distress just do some interesting things which get him moving in the right direction again. He can have adventures later in this and other stories.
Right time to go and get the kitties their medication and have a shot at moving Bob into the next phase of his life.

Post number 125.

This is my 125th post. I hope it's worth it. It must be interesting, humorous and informative unlike the 124 which went before.
So here goes.
My Winter beard is coming along nicely, I have to resist the temptation to trim it myself because that normally ends up with me shaving it off having make a complete bulls lug of the whole process. From now on I will go to a barber and have the whole lot done properly. I'll have the baldy bit on top polished with the sides and chin neatly coiffed so that it doesn't end up looking like a badly tended mushroom patch. I will of course leave the moustache to grow luxuriant so that it can be waxed for special occasions and become a talking point once more.
The Summer look is all very well but I do prefer the full beard of Winter which keeps out the cold and allows for a handy snack to be always close, especially after sloppy foods or soup. Enough of that though, the Winter beard is a tradition which began some years ago and I like to maintain that tradition as an alternative to scarves or roll-neck sweaters, both of which have their place in my wardrobe but are a complement to, rather than a replacement for the Winter beard.
There is a Summer version which is more of a goatee, although I do tend to shave the whole Heddonlad bonce including chins on a more regular basis in the months of June through August. From September onwards a light stubble begins to show through and by Christmas the full fadge is on display until at least Easter when the lighter growth kicks in and the goatee reappears for its Spring and early Summer outing.
So there you have it, blog post number 125 complete. I hope it will be as much fun to read as it was to write. I'll leave that last sentence open to your own interpretation.
I'll bet you can't wait for number 150 or even 200!

Need to travel.

I hope once the house is sold and the downsizing is sorted I can start travelling again.
I miss going to different places, seeing and experiencing new things and meeting new people. I have Mrs H to thank for much of the travel I did over the past few years because she was kind enough to allow me to tag along on some of her business trips.
I did travel a bit before she came along but the best trips, apart from my first journey to Australia which was wonderful thanks to my old pal Mr Sutton and his lovely wife Christine, were to places she let me go to with her. We also had some good trips to Ohio and Yuma, AZ to visit her family.
Anyway, I doubt those days will ever return so I have to work on saving up to take trips on my own or with Mrs H if she is still on board in the future.
Trips such as those long cross country rail journeys in the USA, Canada or Australia might have to wait until I retire but I think a few shorter expeditions to places like Poland, the Czech Republic or Slovakia would be good. Not to mention reacquainting myself with Spain and the Netherlands, The Hague is a particular favourite place of mine. I would like to return to Washington DC, Columbia SC and Vancouver BC as well, so time to start saving!
When I do start travelling again my blogs might become a little more interesting and less introspective. We live in hope, eh?

PowerPoint...arrgh!

I'm currently writing a PowerPoint presentation for work. It revolves around the various documents a business uses to keep track of what they are doing. I'm tying myself in knots trying to cross refer what each document or account is for and how they relate to one-another.
I'm becoming more and more confused as I try to keep things simple and not get the slides looking too 'busy' whilst still setting out enough information to be a basis for the deliverer's notes. The notes, oh dear, the notes. They seem to be getting more and more convoluted as I move through the slides.
This is supposed to be a simple PowerPoint presentation to reinforce what has already been learned in other material. I'm beginning to think I need to look up the definition of simple in the dictionary because what I'm producing certainly isn't simple just now!
Anyway, back to the grind, I needed a break and to get that off my chest. Simple, it's supposed to be simple! Onwards and upwards.

Today I am 54 years old.

It's my 54th Birthday today and my heart has been warmed by all the messages wishing me a good day. These days Facebook messages seem to have taken over from cards but I think that although it is nice to receive a card on one's birthday, crikey I sound like the Queen but you know what I mean, a message on Facebook or Twitter can be just as welcome. At least it shows the person sending the message has taken the time out to do it and it would be churlish to say that greetings sent via such electronic media are any less welcome than a card. All good wishes are welcome in my book, as has been said on many occasions its the thought that counts. Large cheques would of course never be refused although electronic transfer is equally welcome.
Anyway, with Mrs H away it is pleasing to know that so many people have a kind thought for yours truly.

Lazy Sunday morning

But then I'm lazy every morning. Another lovely Autumn day out there is beckoning me towards the garage. The trouble is I'm being snuggled up to by a nice warm kitty and I can't really be bothered to shift her. The stuff in the garage will still be there tomorrow and if it isn't at least I'll not have to sort it out.

Speaking of garages, I'm going to have to start thinking about what to do with the van. It isn't looking like it will get sold before I move so I'll have to find a good place to park it safely. I could always stick it on ebay but what with selling and de-cluttering the house I'm not sure I want to be bothered with people who want to test drive it and so on. Another decision to be made and I hate making decisions. I'll have to do something with it though, it can't sit on the street in Amble for ever. I'll put it on ebay in November that way there'll be no more folks looking at the house because all being well it will have sold which will leave me time to show it to people.
My pal John has been round and taken the last of the concrete slabs so that's them out the way. He's also going to take a few of the plant pots as I won't need them all. Bit by bit the clutter is going, phew!
I'll be glad when all this malarkey is finished with. I'll need a holiday, it's a toss-up between not going away anywhere and having a few days off to get to know my new surroundings and settle into the new place or go somewhere before I move into the new place just to have a proper break. Or both. It's hard to decide what to do. It'll probably be best to wait and see for now and not plan too far ahead. Although a long weekend in Glasgow to meet up with my pals Mr N and Curly McLucas might be a good idea added to another to settle in and reconnoitre. We'll see.
The Story has moved along as well, 3680 words so far find Bob about to make another momentous decision. Who knows where he'll be by the time we hit 5,000. Time will tell, I haven't exactly mapped out where the tale is going, it evolves each time I sit down to write some more. The general direction remains the same, but the route keeps altering.
It's my 54th birthday tomorrow which makes me a Libra and 54 tomorrow. I'm following @EverythingLibra on Twitter at the moment. It's amazing how what they say about Libran traits relates to my character. Having said that, we Librans don't believe in such mumbo jumbo.
So I think its time to read the Sunday papers and have another cup of coffee. Later I'll write some more of The Story before dinner. I like this writing thing, I wish I could write well enough to make a living out of it. If The Story gets a good reception when I decide to make it public the whole thing could take off. Who knows? Stranger things have happened at sea, which you might discover when I get around to writing more on 'The Story of the Mary M'.
The sun's 'a shinin'. If this was August it would be as hot as the hobs of hell but as it is the mellow month of October it is a lovely cool day just right for not sorting through stuff in the garage. Coffee and Sunday papers time in case you'd forgotten so the garage can wait.
When this move is over I'm not sure what I'll find to write about. Probably my daily doings in Amble or wherever I end up. I'm sure I'll think of something.

Into the weekend

Right. The weekend starts here. I have a can of beer by my side and am getting set for a bit of writing, a bit of TV and a relax before tomorrow when the garage de-clutter recommences. I hope that by this time tomorrow the main clutter will be gone leaving only the stuff which is going to self storage or into the skip. I can then start to work on the house room by room starting with the 'office' which has been taunting me for a while. I should start doing some clearing in the evenings. Trouble is by the time I get home from work I just want to rest and can't raise the energy to start digging through drawers and cupboards. I must be a bit more disciplined about it from now on. Pah! How likely is that?
Another viewing of the house Saturday morning at 11 am, all grist to the mill. I'll be de-cluttering so the agent can get on with it. I really hope a lot of these folks will turn up at the auction and bid up and up to a good price. We live in hope.
Had a  few beers and some chocolate, written a few more words of The Story, watched a bit of TV and given in to the kitties demands for more food. Not to mention a bit of Twitter interaction. A fairly successful relax session then. BBC2 for QI then to bed for a read.
Loins girded for the continuation of the garage de-clutter tomorrow.
Its a bright and dry Saturday morning. I hope it stays like this for a few hours so that I can get some more stuff out of the garage leaving me extra time for the house. My brother is due to come down so that will give me the incentive to do more than I would on my own. I work better in a team usually.
Once the garage is done, I'm going to do a room at a time which will mean 4 or 5 weekends. That will take me up to the middle of November when I'm also taking a week off to get a skip and move stuff into self storage. I can then get the stuff that will be going into storage at the movers sorted out ready to leave the house at the end of November. That my friends is the plan, whether it works or not is up to me getting my arse in gear and doing all the things I've said I'm going to do.
As an aside, one of the houses I've been looking at in Amble is up for rent as well as sale, so I may think about renting it with a view to buying. Everything depends on how much we realise on the house so I think that is a wait-and-see job.
A second cup of coffee then out to start again in the garage. I hope to get the majority of stuff moved out of there today, wish me luck!
That's the first load in the van, waiting for bro' to turn up to put stuff in his Landrover then along to the petrol station to put some petrol in the van and some air in the tyres then tip here we come. There's a fair bit of stuff to go into self-storage but nowhere near what there was in there originally, ayt least now you can walk into the garage and move around without falling over stuff or have junk cascade down on you as you pass.
Making progress but still a lot to do and its a bit daunting yet. At least things are getting done though, my previous paralysis has shifted and motivation has kicked in. About time, some might say.
As another aside, its my birthday on Monday, I wonder if Mrs H sends a card. Still, stop second guessing and over thinking, there are myriad reasons why she might forget or anything she sends arrive late through the transatlantic post. Best to forget that sort of thinking and get on with making the best of what is going on now.
Three trips to the tip have left what needs to be self stored in one half of the garage and the other half clear(ish). There is a wardrobe left with personal stuff to go through tomorrow. Once that's done the remainder goes in the skip mid-November.
I will begin indoors from Monday. Moving forward.

5.30 am Friday

Its half five in the morning and I've found a way to get up early, leave the bedside light on. I fell asleep last night with the light still on, had a really good sleep and woke up refreshed at 4.45 am. I am now up and about, having fed the kitties and had some breakfast. Normally I would have dragged myself out of bed half an hour after I needed to and struggled to get a cup of coffee never mind a couple of slices of toast. I like this new idea, I think I might leave the light on in future if it helps me to sleep well and wake up at a reasonable time to avoid feeling rushed in the morning. I would never have had time to write anything at my usual getting up time. Yes, I like this, I think I'll try it more often.
Time to go and get ready for work now, so TTFN.

Ambling into a new life.

I really hope that I can find somewhere to move to in Amble.
I need to be in a more lively environment with shops, pubs and takeaways within walking distance instead of  everything being a car ride away.
I need to be able to stroll down to the river or the harbour and take a gentle constitutional instead of being buffeted by lorries and tractors as I walk along assailed by the stench of the slurry being spread on the fields. I need to be close to my only remaining family, to be a five minute walk away instead of a 30 minute drive.
I need to be able to get to work down a dual carriageway instead of trolling through town hitting every pinch-point there is, stopping and starting all the time.
That's why I really hope I can find somewhere to move to in Amble.

Thursday

Today is Thursday, one more day at work then a weekend of de-cluttering, I must do it this week because  didn't last week and times a passin'.
Yesterday was along day, I went to Leeds for a meeting and wasn't home until 8pm. On the up side thanks to a colleague I discovered  a very decent pub called the Brewery Tap just around from the station, very nice it is too. On the downside I arrived home to find one of the kitties looking very forlorn by the back door having been allowed to get out by the estate agent viewing guide person. I told them explicitly that there were two cats and to make sure that there were two cats in the house at the start and end of each viewing, the numpty who did yesterday's viewing ignored that instruction. I was not happy, poor Thomas kitty thought he had been chucked out and was looking very sad, poor little guy. Why is that no-one can follow a simple instruction these days? Pillock!
Still, can't complain too much at least they are doing the viewings which saves me having to do it, they charge enough though. Humph.
This is turning into a whinge-fest so I go now and try to think of more positive things to talk about another time.

Strangely sanguine

I'm feeling strangely sanguine today. I've been worrying myself sick over the last few weeks about selling the house, de-cluttering, finding a new place and a million other things but today I've reached a sort of plateau where I've decided to sit down a take a look around.
What am I worrying about?
1. Selling the house; the agent is looking after that, it goes to auction in 3 weeks and I can't do anything about  whether it goes for a good price or not. So hang loose for now on that one.
2. De-cluttering; it in the process of happening, so go with the flow and get on with it.
3. Finding a new place; I can't do much on that score until after I know how much the house sells for so that's a wait and see. I know where I want to go and have a couple of potential targets so not much to worry about really.
4. The million other things don't actually exist; I can find a self storage place for the stuff we need access to, I can stay with my brother for a bit until I can find and move into a new place, the furniture and bigger items can go to the moving and storage company who will be doing the move until its time to go into the new place.
So stop worrying is what I say, let the things you can't control work themselves out until you are in a position to be able to influence them and do the stuff you can do something about.
Relax, have a coffee and don't get so wound up. Oh, and stop talking to yourself.

My name is Ian...

..and I'm a Moleskine® addict. My good friend Mr N gave me the idea because he uses one on a regular basis so I went out and bought one.
They are brilliant for people who have a bad memory or if you are a writer to note down ideas as you have them, especially if like me you suffer from the former and aspire to the latter.
They come in many types and sizes, with either a hard or soft back. I use an A5 which fits nicely into the side pocket of the jacket I normally wear. I'm currently using a soft back with plain cream pages and have just bought a hard back to compare the two and decide which type to use in future.
I've also bought a small pocket 2013 diary in soft back because the diary I have been using this year is too long and narrow. The Moleskine® diary is about the size of my Android phone and will fit much better into my coat's inside pocket than the current one.
You can tell I haven't much to say today. Not to mention what an exciting cove and how easily pleased I am.

http://www.moleskine.com/web/gb/home

PS: I've no links with Moleskine® I just think their notebooks are brilliant and that the world needs to know, or at least the tiny bit of the world that reads this blog :-)

After the ball was over.

The football that is. Yet another defeat, I don't know why I bother, they must be the most inconsistent bunch ever assembled. They flatter to deceive on a regular basis. Grrr.
Still, the potato curry was nice and I enjoyed my beer so hey ho, its only a game.

Procrastination.

My pal JR has been round to take away more of the concrete slabs I never got round to using to build a nice patio. Story of my life, the things I never got round to doing which could have enhanced it. Procrastination is the thief of time as a former friend used to say and boy, do I know how to procrastinate. If I'd spent as much time and effort into doing the things I procrastinated about I could have been in charge of a small country by now, or a millionaire or both. Still that was then, this is now, from tomorrow, no more procrastination. My new rule, never put off until tomorrow something you need not do at all. Actually its not that new a rule, its been around for a while, I've just always been going to live by it tomorrow.
I'm really looking forward to the football this afternoon, I hope Newcastle play as well as they are capable of and show the rest of the league that they are real contenders for a European place again and that last season wasn't a flash in the pan.
The potato curry is on to cook really slowly until later, to be had with rice. It smells good so far, if it tastes as good we'll be fine. I'm trying not to have a beer yet, I want to save myself, and the beer, for the match so I must find something to do to keep me away from the fridge. I know, I'll procrastinate. I'll tell myself that I'll go to the fridge later, that way the beer will be safe and I will have succeeded in staying off it until the match starts. So you see, procrastination has its uses.

Its Sunday

Sunday, the day of rest. That is my intention today, read the papers, do a bit of writing until the Newcastle vs Manchester Utd match on tv this afternoon. There's beer in the fridge and I intend to drink it.
I've been thinking about a potato curry later as well, there is a load of spuds sitting there and I like a curry, I was going to say I like a good curry until I realised that it was me who'd be making it so it will have to be, I like a curry. So, curry it is then, whether before or after the match is another question, I'll probably start it so that its cooking during the game and will be ready at the end, organised or what?
Anyway, as I say, a day of rest I hope without ignorant wazzocks peering through the windows today please. I would like to get a good run at The Story as well. So far as you saw yesterday Bob hasn't really been up to much well apart from killing a man in a bar fight but still I'll have to get him being a bit more interesting and try to introduce a bit of life into the story. Lets hope Cleveland is an exciting place for him to be.
I also started on another tale yesterday. Its the back story of an abandoned boat my brother took a photo of on some mudflats on the North Norfolk coast; early days yet but it makes a change from Bob's adventures and means that if I get stuck with him I can take a break and go to the East coast fishing villages of the UK for a change of scene.
Autumn or Fall if you prefer, is certainly here now. Its very chilly but at least the sun is shining and there's not a cloud in the sky. I don't know where this was in the Summer but still with the rain we've had over the past few months it makes a pleasant change to see the sun. A bit of sunshine raises the mood you know.
I am feeling a little guilty about not de-cluttering this weekend but I needed the break. As I've said, there's a few weeks yet and if I start again next weekend it'll be fine.
Right, off to read the papers now, maybe more later.

Change of plan

Today was going to be an assault on the North face of the 'office' but I really can't get motivated to do it so instead I'm going to have a shot at writing a bit more of The Story.
So far in Story 1 Part 1 our hero Bob has lost his remaining family in a mining disaster back home in Northumberland and has moved to America, although I may change that to a fishing accident off the Northumberland coast. He arrived in New York, found work in a lumber yard and a bar where he killed a man in self-defence. He decided that he'd had enough of New York and was last seen boarding a train for Cleveland, OH. Story 1 Part 2 will be his time in Cleveland.
Some research is needed now to see what post-US Civil War Cleveland was like in 1865 so I'm going to start with that today and hope that Bob won't have to sit on the train for too long before he can set off. I think he might meet someone pleasant on the train who may or may not play a big part in his future adventures but as The Story has a life of its own who knows?
I know I should be de-cluttering but my brother will be over next weekend to help finish off the garage and that might give me more motivation to sort out the 'office'. I have 6 or 7 weekends plus I intend to take a week off in November until I need to move. I'll get the skip in for the week I'm off so I should be sailing fair when the time comes to move out into wherever I'm moving to until I find a place in Amble.
Tomorrow of course is another football day so it is unlikely that I'll get anything done this weekend. The incentive of having someone to help is the great thing. I need to work collaboratively most of the time or else I get sidetrac...look! A squirrel! See what I mean. So when the brother is here I get much more done than when I'm on my own. Alone I tend to do loner things like write or read or mope about. Now there's a time and place for such lonesome activities but not when you are supposed to be de-cluttering ready for a move. Still, next week I'll start in earnest and get a good crack at the whole thing, promise!
I might stay in tonight and get weaving with The Story; I think a night at The Story will see Bob nicely settled in Cleveland so that I can relate his adventures there before starting Story 2 Part 1 with his next move as he works his way West.
I was thinking of posting an extract of The Story on here but I'm not sure the best way to do that so I won't until I can find out how.
TTFN.

The weekend looms

The weekend looms ahead like an iceberg in the mist. Well, not really, it's just that there's lots to do, with people coming to view the house in Saturday afternoon and de-cluttering all day.
The office room upstairs has so much paperwork in it the whole day will have to be set aside to clear it all into black bags ready to be burned or recycled.
Non-paperwork stuff will go into the bin or the back of the van ready to go down to the tip. Sunday morning will be a trip to a clothes bin before the football on Sunday afternoon.
After that the weekend will be gone and another week will hove into view.
Sorry it's all a bit boring at the moment, lets hope that the interest levels will rise soon.

Erm...

You know when I said I wasn't going to have beer tonight, well I weakened. You can't watch football without beer.

Not at all interesting

Today I will mainly be not at all interesting.

• I have have ordered my 2013 diary and a fresh notebook from Moleskine, well actually from Amazon but they are Moleskine products. 
• I plan to have a bacon sandwich later or maybe something more substantial if I can be bothered to cook.
• I did not win the lottery.
•  A mysterious benefactor has not left a large suitcase of cash on my doorstep, or if they did someone has come across it while I was out and relieved me of it.
• Thomas kitty still insists on try to learn to tap dance on my keyboard.
• Abbey kitty is still going for the world snoozing record.
• I have changed the wallpaper on my mobile phone to a tin of scones (because I love scones).
• I hope to watch some football tonight.
• I will forego beer this evening in an effort to save money and be good about trying to reduce my drink intake.
• I didn't take the house paperwork to solicitor again today.

I think my aim has been achieved. Today I have mainly been not at all interesting.

North of the Border again

Just back from a long but productive day in Edinburgh. I do like going to Edinburgh, I'd much rather go up there than to Leeds, Birmingham or Manchester. The service from Newcastle is really good and it only takes an hour and a bit to get there. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance for a beer this time because I had to take the car to the station. Still it probably did me good not to have a drink.
Made some good progress on my work writing, I just hope I can get a run at The Story over the next couple of days as I seem to have stalled a bit since Bob became a singer. I have to decide how to move him forward towards Ohio and Arizona. I'll have a think and let you know.

The next big thing

The lovely Bea Davenport asked me to answer these questions. I haven't tagged anyone as I'm new to this writing lark and don't know many writers well enough to ask.

Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing

What is the working title of your book?  It's a series of short stories provisionally titled West goes West.
Where did the idea come from for the book? My liking for Western stories and the escapist thoughts that I've been having over the last few months.
What genre does your book fall under? Westerns.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? It's too early to say, the characters aren't fully developed yet.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? We follow the life of a young lad from when he leaves a Northumberland pit village for the USA to start a new life after losing his only remaining family in a mining accident, up to his death in Arizona.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I'm not sure, I'll probably go for self-publishing but we'll have to wait and see if it ever gets finished.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? I've only just started, first draft not yet completed.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I don't know, there are so many great writers of Western stories and frankly I'm not worthy of fastening their saddle girths.
Who or What inspired you to write this book? Mid-life crisis and thoughts of escape from my troubles.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? I hope it will have novelty value, but that depends upon how the story unfolds.

Here's a link: http://www.blog.beadavenport.com/#home

Lorena

I love this song and I've found some cracking versions on You Tube, this is just one of them.
As I posted on Facebook my old pal Mr N would do a smart job of this on banjo and vocals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-y6cCY2yWI&feature=related
It brings a tear to this old cynic's eye.

P.S. I'm not really a cynic, I'm a soppy old fool.

So what's happening today Ian?

Well since you asked nicely I'll tell you.

I was going to take some paperwork for the sale of the house to the solicitor today until I realised that I had only filled out half the required information and didn't have what I needed to hand so I'll have find it and go another day. If I had brains I'd be dangerous. So having left the office early to do that I will now have to make up the time and still have to go to the solicitor. Numpty.

That was this morning, now I'm just sitting annoying whoever reads this with some idle ramblings whilst fuming slightly at another derisory pre-auction offer on the house. I'm not sure what people think the reserve price means but it certainly doesn't mean we'll accept an offer below it before the auction. I'll be glad when the whole process is over and we can get back to what passes for normal in my little world. Your life is not your own at a time like this, there is always someone wanting something, so roll on completion day.

I only hope that we can raise the required amount to be free of the mortgage which is always a ball and chain.

Anyway, I hope that the tenor of these posts might become a little more upbeat once we are all sorted and can move forward. My trouble is that as a pessimistic, over-analytical worrier I will live in fear of disaster until the house is sold, the money transferred and a new place bought and occupied. Even then I'm sure I'll find a whole new range of things to worry about unless Paul McGee's book, 'How not to worry' works.

Talking of books, I'm really looking forward to starting on Elmore Leonard's Western Stories but I must be patient. Finish Mr McGee first then attack Umberto Eco with Elmore as a reward for finishing 'Baudolino'; I just can't get into it, which is odd since I really enjoyed 'Name of the Rose' and 'Foucault's Pendulum'.

There is also the little matter of The Story to be addressed, I've stalled a bit with it so I need to set some time aside for a charge at that as well.
I must also not forget that there's de-cluttering to be continued as time's a passin'. Saturday must be paper sorting and burning day with the assault on the North face of the spare bedroom taking place on Sunday.
It's all go but there is still a gap in my life which I doubt will be filled again any time soon. I really have to get past that and live my own life for now. I can't influence what is going on over the pond so I need to let it lie and accept that what has to be will be as my dear Mum used to say, may she rest in peace.
That's enough from me for the time being, TTFN.

Humbled?

I wonder why people say they are 'humbled' by certain events. Does that not imply that they were not humble before? It seems a little egotistical to me but maybe I'm wrong.
Perhaps honoured would be a better way to put it, rather than say that 'I was humbled to meet the hero of the recent flooding', why not 'I was honoured to meet the hero of the recent flooding'. Doesn't the latter statement imply that you were unworthy to meet the person and that it was a moment which raised you up rather than imply that you were brought down from some elevated position.
Still that's enough from me on the subject, I just wish people were a little less high falutin' and little more 'humble'.

A distinct gap.

There is a distinct gap in my life that needs filling. I am trying to plug it with this blog, The Story and reading a lot of books. These activities all help but that gap is still there.
I really don't know how to fill it. Still, as Fred Boycott says dig in.

Not much to say today...

...but I'm going to say something anyway. I've been back in the office for the first time in a week, not too many e-mails thankfully, the usual pile of tripe didn't seem to materialise so that was good. It was pleasant to get out of the house, I had allowed myself to slip into a rut and was in danger of becoming a bit of a recluse.
I've found that all my work trips have been rearranged which is good as they are now more house-move friendly. So that is good. I think a week off in mid-November will be the order of the day to sort out the remaining clutter and be ready to move.
Not much else to report so I'll stop and try to be a bit more interesting another time.