CHing ching

Hey hey...another week ends and another ready to go. Just finished my 7th day of a 12 day stretch...actually...will do 11 as I have flex so can take Friday off..woohoo!! More meetings and touting myself to all those pivotal groups on my patch...now all I have to do is come up with the goods...this is difficult...here comes the crunch test...come up with a list of activities that I (and the others) can deliver and that they want....also...the conundrum as to whether things are going the way they should..I think they are but always wonder what the bosses will think a few months down the line.

Having said that I got positive feedback on my 1st guided walk type thing with the 1st group to visit a WIAT woodland...which is great..and hey want to move on and start p the set of activities we had suggested before. Some of the community groups really do work/provide a service in some really bad areas..they are on the front line and I am proud to have the opportunity to work for them and with them..but this is the going to be the first time I have worked with 16 years up...most of whom have been excluded or self excluded from school/society...very challenging behaviour..so..that will be a test as well...I have to be careful not to overstretch and end up not giving them the best I can...jings..they need it...society has left them behind and they have drifted..so...here we go.

So..had the Woodside gala on Saturday....almost a teepee disaster..but that's another story...met some of my future clients dressed up in matching shell suits...bless...you know...you treat them like people..you get the cheek...but all they want to do is do stuff and have fun..so..that's what we did...clay, clay and more clay...but good to be out there and we did give them the teepee..top marks...would have never been forgotten if I hadn't got it sorted. My 1st event organised..almost messed up....sorted and delivered by me...and it was good.

Today was different...a long gig...up at 7 again and on the road for 8...the Aberdeen Horticultural show..started at 10 until 5pm...then pack...move and unpack...finished by 6..but then went to the misuss' for lovely soup and rolls. On my feet all day...not since the days of shampooing have I done that much....I ache all over...plenty of chat...saw the local MP for Woodside who saw me yesterday so we had a chat....woohoo....AN MP'S BUSINESS CARD IN MY WALLET!!.....even though he is a labour mp...but hey....yesssss!!!! A long gig though......and a badge machine again...met the guy from an organisation which has a programme of activities in WIAT woodlands....that's my manor!!!..but really...very good...going to work with him again for def...so top marks again.

So....been to a homeopath for ME/CFS.....whatever...had a looooooonnnnnggggggggg chat...medication on the way and we shall see how that goes...been to gym as well...which was good....so try and fit that into everything.

I have had a few very lovely dates with the missus and we are having fun in each others company again..which is nice..we shall see how things go.

What's for this week...few more meetings...getting down to the nitty gritty of putting the activities together that my client's want..and a day off!!!....and some time with the missus afore she goes to Glasgow nex weekend...will she ever return?

Take it easy

What a week!!

Well this has been a week of some serious downs and some very serious ups.

After much harassment to used the work pc's when in the office I did so one afternoon...used my USB U3 razor thing (a facility I never used) and tried to remove the programme...within mins ALL my docs were wiped...tax spreadsheets....east lothian pics...and worst of all....ALL the pics I had taken and reports written on my WIAT sites..hours of work down the tube...gutted and speechless...but then...yes..I know....I should have backed it up. Now my USB is 100% free BUT I do not want to use it in case it happens again so I am off today to look for a better one...and another for a back up. I came back to the room of doom (just over 1 month to go!!!)..put on Maximo Park..."what do you do when you lose everything?...you just start again..you just start all over again"....couldn't have said it better myself....spreadsheet can be redone and the pics can be taken again..albeit..I need to cover a lot of ground again.

The day after I got the bill for the sofa's going into the Edinburgh flat, the guy I knew was going to sell his flat in Perth dropped me a line and said I could get his leather sofa's for free!!!!...gutted..but then...having thought about it...I know I could never have got them through the hall way! £640 for that and the carpet please..ooyah!!!

But, it's been a good week for work..more networking/meetings with groups who need the help most..some really deprived areas...1st time really working with young people..which is a challenge..for my confidence..but that's what I am here for. Aberdeen traffic...which I need to drag myself through every day to get to the groups/woods is awful.....fast..aggressive and congested..just as well I have the Vauxhall Combo of DOOM...vroom vroom!!!! 1st walk I have prepped, recce'd and delivered in a WIAT woodland...woohoo!!!!...plus the 1st event I have been involved with from start to finish...what a belter. But..it rained ALL day for these guys..which was a nightmare..they had the right stuff at the right place but the weather killed it...had it been sunny it would have been chocca....next year. I got cold and wet and damp...which wasn't good to be honest. I went off and did a wee wild life walk with a group and they loved it...did a "make a tree" which (I think) went down well..so lots of progress and lots more to come.

On a personal level..and I don't think I will say too much as there is someone else's feelings to consider...the last few weeks have been traumatic for me (and us) but I have overcome some personal issues and actually expressed my feeling/thoughts to this person and she has had time to think things through...so....we feel that it is worth spending time together to see if it might work...which is all good and well..so..I think we are both happy with the situation..we shall see.

On top of all this...I had my gym induction this week as well..woohoo!!! The geezer had automatically assumed I would want heavy weights but we sorted that out quick smart...the regime he wants me to do is challenging but doable....work on my back and shoulders..in a safe way...I just have to figure how to fit it in to my lifestyle..or..more to the point...how to alter my lifestyle to facilitate the exercise!! I should be there now but..after 6 days on and another 13 coming up..I felt it was a good idea to chill and relax....this will involve watching the Mighty Celtic crush Aberdeen up her at Pittodrie this afternoon.

Homeopathy this week as well...plus I get to give my lady a hug again..something I never thought would happen..so...it is all go...as usual...

Hope all is well

What a Week!!!

If you go down to the woods today!!! This was in a community woodland near Mastrick in Aberdeen. Was really nice..they had recently cut down trees and put them at the side as a path..but then it stopped at the bottom where there was nothing! The pic does not tell how dark it has become and thick with plantation trees...bit spooky...then got a call from homeopathic doctor while in the woods...chatting to her..trying to not poke my eye out with a branch and looking out for ne'er do wells. So, arranging appointments for that and just about to join the local gym for a month..got my trainers and my trunks..not speedos but I shall have to wait and see if they fit..got the biggest in stock but still too wee for my present girth...the wonders of lycra..let's put it to the test. So hopefully, after all this, my energy levels will go up.

Which I need...as the job is becoming quite busy and very exciting. I have 2 priority woodlands to assess for myself..this will be next eek plus I have made contact with 2 special needs groups in the city (1 of which I am doing a stall for them at their open day..ppprrrrpppp..the other..agreed series of activities)..made contact with a community group (gala event with them)..contact with local community radio (training to be booked for them going on air in October)..contact with Aberdeen Mission (Tillydrone project)...Blue Horizon (bus for teenagers)..future meetings in "community networks" are being lined up...AND met a 21 year old female councillor....hhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllloooooooooooooooo!!!!!...and hands off!!! First time for me to attend a local group meeting in a member's house..tea and china crockery..crusts off sarnies and those wee coconut things..u know...very nice....this is what I asked for so this is what I get. An evening meeting with the Kincorth Hill Management Group on Monday am but that should be the only evening meet for me..anyway...that is "big Simon's" patch..not much to do there.

back door of van is a bit iffy..lady at council depot asked me if I had backed into anything...me?.....no!!!!..well..maybe the fuel tank's wooden fencing..only to myself, mind.

What a eek...got up as usual today but then went back for a kip..what a luxury.

So..Gourdon, here we come...decided to spend half my salary per month to rent a flat for myself...re integrate back into normal society..out on the coast south of Stonehaven. I find working and living in the city a bit of a grind..specially when I have to drive in it as well. It is a really nice flat and just along from a pub!!! Nice and quiet with seas views..the driving is a wee bit more but the jams will be in exactly the same place as I get them now..so..no worries..have to wait until October to move in though..after my holibags to Strathyre/South lanarkshire and my forest school training..5 days n the woods with Simon..great!!...should be good.

OK..there you go..nuff said.

Look at the time111

Just about ready to hit the road for the 2nd and last batch of kit from Haddington.....the Goldfrapp tape has been warmed up and the coffee is being consumed...catch you all on the flip side.

SB

Crash, Bang, Wallop

Hey..this entry should be called "go on my son!!"..can you see the snail on the right hand pic?..take centre bottom of pic and work up...this was on a busy access road and very wet..the fella was crossing the road..don't know if he made it or not...but I bet I looked suspicious on all fours in the peeing rain, taking a pic of the tarmac!!! Look at the shell though,.....cool!!! What was I doing?..checking my..yes MY WIAT woodlands..fun and frolics and plenty of postulation..good to get stuck in about it.

So, today I met my line manager...and it went really well...on the surface anyway...I was expecting him to say I was to be doing the ranger job as with the rest of the team..but all he said was "I expect you to look after the WIAT woodlands"...hussah!!!...then, to confirm, I went through what I expected to be doing..he agreed with that as well...double hussah!!! So, game on..bring it on...already networking with various groups and checking out my woods.

Funny thing is..I was peering into thick sycamore plantation and saw lots of litter at one spot...moved on..gap in low wall...I swear....someone had put broken slabs down as crazy paving from the park side to high wire mesh fencing on the other...didn't lead anywhere but there it was...so..someone is obviously artistic!!!

Reversing my brand new vauxhall combi 1.7 L (vroom) cdi down the drive to drop stuff off after the last family fun day at Hazlehead Park...left hand mirror was fence...right hand mirror was wall of building..prioritise rhs as wall more dangerous...all clear....BOSH...didn't realise the fence was sticking out and gave it a whack..no damage though but my boss was in the office so I assume he heard it...doh!!!!!

So, a diverse day again...listening to some southern rock compilation from Metal Hammer...get my cd's (and rest of stuff) from Haddington this weekend...then we shall raaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..or not..no hi fi yet AND the landlord fella is a born again christian..which is fair enough..but how will he take to some Crowbar...Sick Of It All...Napalm Death or Cathedral....Slayer is definately oot!!

After this move I should be good to go and get settled down..woohoo!!!

SB

Here comes the rain!!!

Well...just got up to see the first rain of Aberdeen...on the 1st day of site reviews as well....well...I guess it was about time I got to get a good drenching.

After an enforced sojourn at dads...it was ok really...too many times I have had to pass through and spend only a few hours with the old man..so at least I stayed from Friday night through to Sunday morning..which was nice...I came back up and chatted to mum about things.

OK...battered, bruised and none too happy...there are issues I need to address so as to not cock things up again...homeopathic jiggery pokery for CFS (why M.E.?!!!!), more exercise..just about to join RGU's (university) sports centre so the speedo's are definitely going to be out I am afraid...BE WARNED...and a bit of gym action...and also kick aerobics...woohoo!!!!..did this sort of thing at Strathaven and it was gid...and the job..this should keep things ticking over if nothing else.

So...the job...bit scary now....as a seasonal you always had to ask if you could do something so as not to step on someones toes but now you don't...this also means you have to start thinking about things to do for bookings yourself.....pppppppppppprrrrrrrrrrrrrpppppppppp..bit scary but you should be able to get support...my support went on hollybags for 3 weeks...I am now left with 2 fellas who are very suspicious of what I am doing and the implications for them...I do not know how many times I have said to them it does not effect them at all and, if it does, it will be for the good....NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...they still don't get it....I only want to get this project and its aims on the go AND make me look good AND make them look good. Doh!!!

Hey ho...the other boss is back today so we shall see if he pulls me over to the ranger side (which is not supposed to happen)..bit nervous and apprehensive..as I am sure he is!!!..so...we shall see.

Life is never boring for me...all I want is a porch, a rocking chair and a good wummin to cook me stew...not to much to ask is it?...I guess we are all the same.

Tara