Yearly Archives: 2005

My thirty fourth festive season has gone by in a pleasantly relaxing manner, so far. On xmas day we had a quiet one, watching tv and going for a walk in the park, before going home to watch the Family Guy dvd’s that Fliss had gotten me.

Due to a bit of a screw up on my part we didn’t exactly have the traditional feast when it came to dinner time. On xmas eve I’d woken up really early, so I decided to go to Tesco to fetch some supplies. Once there I picked up two pizzas, thinking that they’d do for boxing day, and then went off around the store picking up odds and ends with a mind to getting something decent for our main meal on xmas day. Somehow, and I’m not quite sure how, I managed to forget to do that. After getting some wine and seeing the queues were expanding at the check–outs, I decided to cut it short and get in line.

So, we ended up having the boxing day pizza for our dinner on xmas day. They were a bit crap, too, as I’d even managed to pick up the wrong type (usually something with meat and a bit of spice for me, something that you can barely taste for Fliss, this time a margherita for me and a ham and pineapple one for Fliss. ). On boxing day we set out to get something a bit more substantial to feast upon, but every store we visited was closed.

Finally, on the 27th, we got ourselves to Asda and picked up some steak, which for me didn’t meet the expectations placed upon it as the promised xmas feast, but by then I don’t think anything could have.

The following day we went to PC World to get a new computer chair. We ended up getting a new wireless modem/router and a faster wireless adapter for the PC, plus a printer/copier/scanner, some software for transferring my VHS tapes to the PC, and Rollercoaster Tycoon for Fliss. Somehow we didn’t get a chair, but having spent quite a bit by that point it was probably a good thing.

Myself and workmates Graeme, Chris, Steve and Althea completed the Liverpool Santa Dash at the weekend.

Steve had started nearer the front of the 4000 odd people dressed as Santa and ran it by himself, while Graeme, Chris and I had wandered to the rear of the throng before the start and ended up being stuck behind slower people for much of the first half.

Once we had some clear air, though, Graeme and Chris picked up the pace and it was all I could do to keep sight of them. I’m glad I did, because I’d have missed Graeme‘s trousers falling down otherwise – that was pretty funny, I can tell you. :o)

I’d woken up the previous morning feeling quite unwell, so I’d filled myself up with medication in order to do the event, but I ended up struggling on an up hill section due to the pace we’d been keeping. With my heart rate monitor going crazy at me I pulled up and walked for about 50 yards or so, as it was a fun run after all, so there was no point in flogging myself to go for a good time. Fortunately Graeme and Chris waited for me at the top of the hill and that kept me going once I’d caught up with them – at the end we all finished together at just over 36 minutes.

Thanks to generous donations from friends and family I’ve already made my original target of ?100, so I’ve raised it to ?150 in the hope of making some extra for the doggies. If you’d still like to sponsor me or make a donation to the Dogs Trust, my Just Giving page will be up until early February.

All being well I’ll be back for another attempt at the Santa Dash next year to try and raise some more cash for charity.

This Sunday I’m doing the Santa Dash around Liverpool City Centre – a 5k fun run in a Santa suit.

I’m running in aid of the Dogs Trust, the UK’s leading dog welfare charity.

If you’d like to sponsor me then visit my Just Giving page – all donations will be gratefully received – do it for the doggies! :o)