Blurry

Doesn't time fly? January is going by in a bit of blur. I missed a friend's birthday a couple of weeks ago, just didn't get around to making the extra effort required; she moved away and I don't see her very often. I do feel bad about it though.

The weather varies here from very cold and dry to mildly cold and very wet. I think I prefer it dry and cold. It's the kind of weather that makes you just feel like coming home from work and getting into bed as soon as you can to keep warm together. I'm drinking lots of hot beverages. Watching the news every night is a bit depressing, hearing about companies laying off hundreds of employees and closing branches. We'd like to move house this year and I don't know how we're going to achieve it. Last year we only had a short holiday away form home for a few days; this year I wanted to go away again but I don't think we will - moving house is going to take precedence - my work is going to get very stressful with a big change coming up and I selfishly wanted to go somewhere to relieve myself of the stress of it. Just as well we're staying home, with the added expense of a holiday, it might have just added to all the stress rather than relieve it. There is so much preparation to get done if we're to move house this year I don't know how we're going to get it done.

It's Chinese New Year tomorrow and to celebrate we had a Chinese takeaway tonight for tea. I could only eat half of what was on my plate - it was so filling! I love Chinese food though.

Obama-tron

Lots of excitement in the States over the inauguration of a new President. It is a remarkable thing that America has achieved. I really do hope that he is able to make a difference to the lives of hard working, ordinary Americans. I can only remember one black UK politician off the top of my head. I expect that people will forget Obama's ethnicity as soon as Washington's political machine starts churning. It does feel like history is in the making though, I think you can be much more hopeful and optimistic when you have a young, good looking leader for your country. You know he has a lot of energy to contribute. Good luck President Obama.

Here I am

Its funny how sometimes in your life you can be in a time of change, with lots of uncertainties and stuff happening all around you and people you know being affected, and in the middle of it all you have thoughts of great clarity. Just when you'd expect your thinking to be muddled or distracted. Its as if the world keeps turning but you see yourself from the outside of a spinning world and you realise that the world is a big place and you do anything (within reason) or lead a life anywhere you choose. I feel that 2009 is going to be a creative year and a year of change for me.

First post of the year

My Christmas holiday is over tonight because tomorrow I return to work. I've had quite a bit of time off this Christmas - or at least it feels that way because I had to take a couple of extra days this week because my children's school started back later than other schools.

The holidays were good for me, I felt we spent a bunch of time together as a family and my wife and I even got to spend some a couple of nights alone together (a first since our daughter was born eight years ago). I saw two pantomimes, attended a carol concert and a wedding. I even had the luxury of not having to get up early in the mornings. All that has to change tomorrow.

I know its the season but I don't want to make any resolutions yet, there are a number of important things I want to do this year but I feel if I put them "out there" I may just end up not doing them. I'm looking at the calendar infront of me and the face of Kat Von D from LA Ink is watching me. I wouldn't want to make her any promises infront of her that I can't keep!