I am (a) Kloot (convert)

When I was asked by a friend what I was doing this weekend, I really didn't have much to say ( I had hoped that I could get home on Friday night, have something to eat, maybe the first beer since New Year and then sleep through the weekend so that I would be ready for Monday morning.....well maybe go for another run if my legs will allow [see last blog] - what a lifestyle)

Instead they offered me a spare ticket to see a band that I had never heard of on Saturday night. Well after attempting to prevaricate I ended up saying that it would be great, and desperately searching the Internet for any links to their music. I know that I had heard of I am Kloot and that they had a fantastic reputation, but I really didn't want to admit my ignorance to my friend, my sister and her boyfriend, who were constantly talking about them.

I admit that I found one or two tracks online that I recognised, but was still not sure what to expect. I had been to The Duchess in York which is a great location, and to be honest, despite what I have said, I love watching live music, and don't mind what it is.

Arriving in York (always a great event for me anyway) we made our way through to the Duchess, where we had managed to miss the opening act, but the atmosphere was fantastic, and the surround music was great, and then at about 9:00pm I am Kloot arrived on stage...............and they were amazing! The Duchess is a small, intimate venue, and I'm sorry cos it sounds like I am gushing, but I don't know how to say how great the gig was. Being so intimate everyone was feet from the band, you could see everything.

And when the set was over, and queueing up to get the mandatory T-shirt I felt a hand on my back, and turning round found myself next to John Bramwell, the lead singer who was coming through to sign tour posters, CDs and tickets. It was very strange as he really isn't what you would expect of a lead singer in a band, but it just rounded off the evening perfectly.

And I think what I am trying to say is that the despite not being keen on going I would have really missed out if I had not gone! To be with great friends in a location with a great atmosphere and great music is the way to spend your free time!

Where did it go?

John Cleese (c) Independent.co.uk

I know that at the moment I am not the fittest person in the world, but I had no idea I was quite so unfit!

When I was at university it was normal for me to run 8 miles a day, and played rugby three times a week, so I was reasonably fit.

Walking round Manchester every day means that I still walk approximately 8 miles a day so I thought that I was at least reasonably fit. This year, rather than set myself resolutions (which I invariably break within a week or two), I decided that I would set myself some reasonably easy targets that I hope to maintain or achieve by the end of the year. This year I want to get fitter, loose a little bit of weight and to cut down smoking......(I know it's a filthy habit, but I genuinely am addicted to the nicotine, and whilst I want to quite completely I know that it will be difficult......I only smoke about 8 a day at the most anyway, but I would like to get it down!)

SOOOOO and the reason for this post......Saturday morning came round, and I had some books to drop off with a friend so I thought I would have a quick jog, to start my fitness regime. Having been out to my friends in the car, a couple of miles I thought, and I would be back before you knew it.......

......instead at 2 miles out, and just about half way there, my calves starting to seize up. But I was over half way there....can't be much further.....I thought. Unfortunately I had forgotten that once I got there and dropped off the books, I would have to jog back. Well after just under 8 miles, and an hour after I set out from home, I returned..............my calves locked solid. Not only did I warm up I had also warmed down.....or I thought I had.

So since Saturday I have been hobbling around, and stinking of muscle rub. Slowly I am getting movement back, but it really wasn't a professional look. I am told it looked something of a mix of John Cleese's funny walks and someone walking with a filled nappy (I am still not sure how they know what that would look like!)

Whilst I can live with the pain and discomfort, and am more than happy to be ridiculed (not a hugely uncommon thing!) I think the thing that upset me most was the fact that my friend was out so I still have the bloody books!

Goodbye 2010!

Well having had some time to reflect I thought I would have a look back over 2010. Well what can I say?.................................Poo!

Honestly it really hasn't been a great year. January last year started with a lot of anxiety......my Grandmother had just been diagnosed with recurrent gastric cancer, and the firm I worked for was spiralling down the toilet financially, and no-one seemed to know what would happen, or where we would be going. As it was mid January gave us the answer.....we were moving pretty much as a whole team to Manchester......just a lil bit of a shock!

Working through our notice period was a hugely strange experience. I'm pretty sure that most people have been through a notice period...............but when there are 10 of us, all in the same office, all leaving at the same time, and all leaving a boss who was something of a nut job. There were moments of hilarity, great stress, and unbelieveably surreal experiences, which if recounted would not be believed.

March saw the death of my Grandmother, and whilst it was a really sad occasion we were all around to say goodbye to her.


Goodbye flat



May was the start of the new job.........an upturn although a strange new place. Less than a fortnight into the job and the ex-GF developed a pulmonary embolism brought on by a DVT, in turn the result of a drunken accident on a night out. Okay so not a great impression to the new bosses, having to leave early to get to hospital for visiting hours, but ultimately she got better and work continued, as did our plans to move to Manchester.





Goodby Fred and Lilly



June was even less fun.........the ex-GF decided that things weren't working out and decided to quit our flat. June, July and August really passed in something of a depression (well probably not only something of a depression.....I don't think that I had been so hurt since my second fiance left me.....it's a really long story!!) But there were two islands of brightness in this period. One was a week in France, in complete tranquility, and the other was meeting you wonderful people and the start of this blog, which has been a real life saver, and allowed me to pour out some emotions without having to break the "Man's rules of manliness!"



Tranquility in the Summer

I must admit that the year has got better as it has progressed. I hope that the doom and gloom has cleared (and I again apologise for all my moaning!). The New Year was welcomed in with such love and friendliness around me that I hope that 2011 will be so much better.Whilst I will be the first to accept I am still not truely back to my fun loving best I know that I am on the road to recovery. I have my friends and family around me, and you wonderful people who listen to my complaints, concerns and random rantings. Work is crazy busy, and whilst the current commute is impossible to maintain the future is looking bright with the possibilty of a transfer to Leeds and I hope the opportunity to live in York (I accept that the aspirations are slightly less grand than that of Gem, with her wonderful dreams of Canada, but I must admit that I have developed slightly lower aspirations and dreams......there is less chance of those dreams being destroyed.)







Friends and family at a wonderful New Year! Thanks to you all

Hello 2011!

Firstly an apology for not being in touch with you wonderful people for a while but having bored you all before about my family's traditional Christmas programme, this year, the first since my Grandmother died, the family decided to get together at the folks house in France (again I apologise as I know I have bored you about this place......but it is amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing!)

The plan was that on Christmas eve eve....okay the 23rd my Sister and I would travel down to Bordeaux from Hull, picking up her BF on the way, meeting up with my lil Sister, her husband and lil Niece on route somewhere in France to arrive at Barie early on Christmas eve.

So after the usual work routine.....up at 5 and on the train to Manchester and back it was time to drive about 986 miles South, not helped by what was supposed to be the worst winter weather "EVER" (it really wasn't that bad at all!) and airport closures causing a 3 hour delay on the Euro Tunnel (man that is the weirdest experience ever.....to sit in a stationary car, whilst feeling definite forward motion, and seeing your passenger get out and walk away from the car at what seems a huge speed!) But after 22 hours of continuous travelling, split between my Sister and I (well mainly me.....have to do the whole manly thing of taking control!) the family was pretty much all together, with friends from the neighbourhood. 

Christmas and New Year were fantastic, although strange without my Grandmother although we still tried to maintain our Christmas traditions. Getting up for stockings, followed by breakfast and then presents and it was fantastic to see the excitement in the Lil niece's eyes when she saw the soot boot prints by the chimney, the half eaten carrot and the piles of presents.

To commemorate my Grandmother and all that she meant to all of us, we set off Chinese lanterns on the stroke of midnight on New Year's eve, taking our wishes to her and to remind her that we were all thinking of her still.