Yet again, time between posts, but this time I've got an excuse - it's been total chaos, but on the upside A is now Mrs M, how cool is that ? It's been a period of time which has flown by starting with my stag in Bristol. A good hardened crew was assembled with M back from NZ , R from HK and D from Spain, 16 in all. A cracking time had by all with the bonus of watching Wales stuff the baa baas. I think I got off quite lightly apart from some interesting body art which eventually came off with exfoiliating cream. Roaringly drunk - of course. A few days to prepare, spent the night before in the village pub with dad and the wedding crew as above, and then the big day. It rained in the morning, but as we drove to the church the clouds parterd and the sun stayed for the rest of the day. The church was full of everyone who has ever meant something to us both over the years, and that in itself was beautiful to see. When A eventually stood by my side she was stunning. I'm sure all grooms say this but Mrs M is a damn fine looking specimen, and today she was more lovely than ever.The service was wonderful, I particularly enjoyed listening to my English chums having to belt out Cwm Rhondda. The boys behaves superbly throughout the service which made me very proud. A cracking reception which flowed seamlessly through the afternoon and evening. My speech was a bit of a duffer, I had nothing scripted, I didn't feel that was appropriate and I knew exactly what I wanted to say - public speaking has never fazed me. I was not prepared to be as overcome with emotion as I was, my new wife beside me, my sons and my family and friends and I am afraid I choked somewhat, and I'm not sure I projected all of what I wanted to say . It is a day that will linger forever in my memory as one of the happiest of my life. More was to come, A and I had a stonking honeymoon on glorious Koh Samui, stunning island, wonderful people. The boys stayed at home with my Mum, and although we missed them, it meant a great deal to both of us to have time on our own together in a beautiful place. A major shock on our return was the news that my grandmother had died whilst we were away. my mother had decided not to tell us, which I am grateful for. I take consolation in that the last time I saw her was a happy day, with her family around her. The funeral, as usual, was grim

After not posting for some time I decided to reread the whole blog ( which didn't take long). My god, I've mellowed, must be the impending nuptuals. A has told me that I am more tolerant and less rude these days and I supose she's right. I think I am generally too fucking knackered to get too het up these days. There are still some exceptions. The Zurich premiership play off system sucks arse. Blair is still a wanker, so no change there.Pity the condom hadn't been used really. Bush is soon to be squirming like a stuck pig as it becomes apparent that perhaps the yanks should actually start training some of the trailer trash that they allow into their armed forces. Very much the minority amongst the good soldiers, but jeez, how did they get in ? And are there really people that stupid ? Arsenal going unbeaten seriously pissed me off as does the upcoming Euro 2004 as I like Portugal, and I hope we don't get tarred with the same brush as the backward fucks who will no doubt do their level best to trash the place.Apart from these few side issues the glass is more full than empty, and the smell distinctly more roses than shit

Hey hey, long time no blog. Just over a week to go before we become Mr & Mrs. No stresses, everything hunky dory. Stag next week, rugby and beer, the usual suspects. Then onto the big day with the whole catholic sheebang to keep the portuguese happy. One day of hugging the children and soaking up some love, and then 10 days alone together on Koh Samui. And to make it even better, the company should be sold when we get back. Life is sweet, shame the rest of the world is as mad as a box of frogs at the moment

Geez, just checked this and I've done bugger all since February. Lacking motivation ( for a lot of things, not just this ) Tired, pissed off, still, sun's out

Today is one of those days when I'm am damn glad that the company is being sold. There said it. My life for the last ten years will be no more. G and I are taking the shilling and scarpering. Price nearly agreed, just the lawyer and accountant shite to go through and then I'm FREEEEEEEEEEEEE. To do what I don't know. Depends on the lucre. I need enough to start something else, but if we get the right price I don't have to work for a couple of years, but that is a non starter, I'd go mad. A six month sabbatical is the plan, perhaps get down to Oz for a month and see Dad, do a bit of travelling with A and the kids. Batteries back to nuclear capacity, C starting school, fresh ideas, fresh start BANG - I'm steaming.
I've enjoyed what I've done, and taken pride in some kind of achievement, and the majority of clients I deal with are good people, but when you have a wanker like the one today, who wouldn't be happy if we chucked a night with Kylie in with the deal - well walk on the good life

A good start would be to get back into a decent exercise routine. I'm not keen on the next time I have to step on the scales. Hell, I'm no bloater, but I've always been fit, and since I hit the mid thirties and had kids, the whole exercise thing has gone a bit. If i don't keep on top of it I start to develop love handles. Yak. Rugby is out of the window, I'm enjoying watching it, but I cannot risk a bad injury. I had twenty five good years of playing and I'm suprised I don't miss it. I suppose because I'm still watching I'm still getting something out of it, but it's not the same. Back to the gym I suppose. Half four dark and cold, bunch of arse

The whole wedding thing is starting to seriously piss me off. I just feel like I want it done, finished, and then its just the two of us on a beach in Thailand far away from the insanity of it all. It seems impossible to please people which is very odd because I thought that people would want to please us as it is our wedding. Too simple - it would appear so. I am fast approaching the our way or the high way school of thought. Very down at the moment, I need a positive surge to get me going again

I really do need to get more motivated about this blogging malarkey. Just realised my last effort concerned my impending speeding case and I am now the owner of three penalty points and a sixty quid fine, which I thought was a bit of a result. Also, a total waste of money. Why didn't they just give me a fixed penalty notice ? The points would have been the same, and the fine only thirty quid less, and christ knows what it costs to put a case through court. Pathetic, and indicative of the crazy red tape that permeates every sphere of our existence.
Took a day off for C's fourth birthday on Monday. When he hit the sack for his last night of threedom he was convinced that all his teeth would have fallen out, and that he was in for a hefty windfall from the tooth fairy. Suprisingly, given his present tantrum level, he was not that disappointed to wake up with a full set of ivories. He thoroughly enjoyed his day out at a wildlife park in the company of a few of his hooligan chums, not sure if the animals felt the same. They charged around like Linford Christie on speed for a few hours, and then - clunk, a switch gets thrown and the batteries run out. Mum and Dad get a blissfully quiet journey home.
One more day at the office and then its leaving on a jet plane for a long weekend of rugby, red wine and compulsory snail eating. I adore France. It's so - well, - French. The added bonus of no women, no kids, and the company of like minded cretins who are equally determined to spend the odd weekend in a Peter Pan like state still thinking that we can stay up late a drink stupid amounts. Still, it's a challenge and a gauntlet I will pick up with gusto. Allez les Glaws

Oh, got the bloody summons through for that speeding incident in September, the crafty sods backdated it to November. Bunch of arse

Christmas finishes at last, and the nose firmly hits the grindstone. A bizzare holiday, nearly two weeks off without actually going on holiday. The usual orgy of present opening for the kids, which C enjoyed hugely, but J at one remained unimpressed - ooh great something else that makes a stupid noise. Do they really need toys that quack for stimulation ? Still, we got through it without killing each other or the kids. Managed to get out and about as much as possible, but found myself strangely jealous whilst yomping along next to the Avon freezing my nadgers off when thinking about C & M jollying around NZ. Still, maybe if things go as planned we might find a few months in the sun ourselves.

Still don't get the whole new year thing. Went to a pleasant shindig at friends, but everyone turns into an arse at midnight. Is it absolutley compulsory to sing some dorky scottish verse and hug and kiss the nearest strnager simply because the date has changed? It's a pile of crap and even when bladdered, have never managed to to catch the vibe.

With Christmas over it's back to the miltary op that is the wedding - aaaaargh. Still got the ring and settled the South African national debt in the process - must get round to proposing.

The season of goodwill approaches ever closer. Since we've had kids, I enjoy it more, the whole thing wasn't really my bag previously. As a parent, I now have the concerns of the ludicrous commercialisation of the whole event. It's pointless to address that in any more detail other than to say it's crazy, and anyone with half a brain cell should agree. A & I have tried to get C to understand more of the true meaning of Christmas and to make him understand that Santa and the presents are a pleasant side issue to celebrating the birth of Christ. I personally have no faith, but I respect the A does. I have no problem with teaching the kids about the birth of Christ as I look upon it as a historical fact rather than from a religious point of view. Still. I am sure that baby Jesus will soon be forgotton as they turn into whirling dervishes surrounded by mountains of carefully selected and soon redundant wrapping paper.
On one hand I enjoy the best part of two weeks at home, with A & the kids, and visits to and from other family, but from a practical point of view it makes me shudder. Why does the entire country grind to a halt for the best part of two weeks for a period that has three bank holidays ? Crazy. It's not by choice that we are also forced to shutdown. All of our main suppliers are closed, as are the majority of our clients. Two weeks with no deals makes for lean times for a small business.
Ho bloody ho ho.

Don't seem to be writing much except for Friday afternoons as the week begins to wind down. Its 4.30 and to be honest, I would've departed for a swift jar by now if I didn't have to make a call at 4.45. I've been trying to get this guy all day and his secretary tells me that he will be fee to take my call then. Lucky me.
I must make an effort to take C swimming tomorrow. The little swine always says he wants to, and then turns into a big girls blouse when we get to the pool. I know he's only three, but he's got to start to realise how much he's going to get out of it. He loved swimming in the lakes in Italy in the summer, he could control his depth. He panics if he can't touch the bottom of a pool, and try as I do, I can't seem to help him conquer that fear. Back to the drawing board once again. We haven't been for a while so its suck it and see time.
Got D staying for a few nights as he's back from the Canaries for a weeks work in Blighty. The daft twat got a 10 pm flight into Bristol, so muggins will be driving down an unusually clear M5 on Saturday night and doubtless have a hangover on Sunday after we've caned a few bottles of red on getting back. The things I do for my kiddie less chums. Contemplating sticking him in J's room for the night, which will soon wipe the smile off his tan !

So an Al q suspect turns up in Gloucester ! Bloody bizarre where these fruitloops turn up. British born as well. Perhaps it's time to start asking these clowns if they consider them selves to be British first or Muslim and then fire them out of here. The guy was only 24 years old, with a normal state education. If guilt is proven, someone is responsible for some major brainwashing somewhere along the line. All forms of fundamentalism rankles me, but the whole muslim lunacy bit is starting to become tiresome, but where is the solution ? We've now seriously rattled their cage with the whole Afghan/ Iraq situation, and we seem to be fairly inept at countering thr threat they pose. One saving grace is that there probably won't be a great deal of activity on mainland Britain, as we have vast experience of counter terrorism after dealing with the Irish problem for so long, but that means that easier targets elsewhere get hit. It's a hell of a problem for the politicos, but would it have been there if we'd finished the job in the first gulf war ?

had the 'what happens when your mother finds your blog' scenario over the weekend, and apparently I use too much foul language. I was suitably chastised and felt like a five year old on the wrong end of a scolding. I am in fact, thirty five with two children of my own, and whilst I am glad for people to read the gumph in my thoughts, I am not overly concerned if the content or style caused offence. Like the tv has an off button, your browser has a back one.

I now have to put up with my English chums reminding me that they are the world champions for the next four years, can't wait. Nice to see the Aussies get down over in their own back yard though. Now that's all over it's back to Glaws and the premiership, which is fairly painful viewing at the moment. I would imagine that my rugby viewing will be vastly curtailed by the black hole that is our impending nuptials. I would hazard a guess that I could settle Peru's national debt for less, but I wouldn't get a 'gala buffet' thrown in with that. Be afraid, very afraid. I will constantly whine about the 'stress' and the cost for the next six months with montonous regularity, but the reality is that I am very much looking forward to it ( sniff, kleenex please )

Going on from my last posting concerning the weather I now have the cold from hell. As I am an adult male, it is not simply a cold, but probably a near life threatening rare influenza virus. Yes, it's only a cold, and it will be gone in a day or so, but why do I have to feel so crap whilst it's here ? I'm hot, my head feels too big, and I have yellowish - green gunk pouring out of my nose and throat. I blame Bush, I didn't have it before he arrived. As everything else seems to be his fault at the moment, he might as well cop it for my lack of well being. He's off to geordieland today. I wonder if he'll get down to Tone's local working men's club, watch the turn, have a go on the bingo in the interval, and then join in the punch up outside the kebeb house at closing time. Doubt it somehow.

World cup final tomorrow. Although I'm Welsh, I hope England win. Yes, Australia probably are the greatest sporting nation on earth ( sorry if you're American, but no one else plays glorified rounders or dresses up like a swat team to play a crap version of rugby, you just don't cut it in the major sports ) but aren't we just sick of hearing about it. And, they will hate it, totally hate it, if the Poms do them in their own backyard. Although it sticks in my throat and struggles to get out, come on you Pommies ! There is my proviso that this is the only time this will happen, come the six nations I pray that we will give them a good pasting, and show them ( not that we haven't already ) how the beautiful game is played.

It's a funny old time of year. Not particularly cold, but bleak and grey. I think that saying that I have sad is a bit extreme, but I do find that I am different at this time of year. Motivation comes a lot harder, and I am very lethargic. My time spent exercising declines, and I tend to drink more alcohol. I like to spend time outside, and that becomes harder when daylight is so much shorter. D has come back from the Canaries for a week, a trip that went tits up from the start, but he can't wait to get back. He's only been there four months and already detests a November in the uk. By tomorrow evening he'll be back in his shorts taking a swim. Spawny git. J is one tomorrow. ONE. It hardly seems a few months since the little vandal was born, and now he can walk, and the whole interaction thing has started, which I adore. In that sense, I hope he's like C, who has a marvellous sponge like quality. Only five more months of bleak and grey. Whoopee

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Must be more tolerant - repeat 100 times............. Nah fuck that

Nicky Cambell very good on 5 live this morning. He had Margaret Beckett ( the one who looks like Frankie Dettori shoud be whipping her saying giddyup - sinfully ugly) on for her opinions of Michael Howard. She said that he would be remembered for his past, poll tax etc. Cambell reminded her that she was once a socialist and a member of CND - we all have a past. Nice touch. Wonder how Jack off Straw would have liked to pay for his education when he was president of the NUS. Must try to get off this subject, but they are such a bunch of jizz monkeys it's hard not to .

Oh, I'm by no means anti American, I just think that your unelected leader is a total knob jockey