I've moved to www.foolhandy.com so feel free to visit me there... Karl

Today Dad & I went house hunting for a house for him. We spent the day driving around the Forest of Dean looking at houses, none of which were any good. In particular we had an appointment to see a house where the description spectacularly failed to describe the property accurately. It's a bit like when we went to see the Ford Probe for Mum that was described as being wonderful but was actually a heap - don't these people realise that as soon as you see it you're going know they're lying? Q...

Death has been on my mind a lot recently. Can't seem to shake it. I keep thinking about the fact that in 150 years time every single person in the world alive now will almost certainly be dead, and then I put that into the context of the history of the Earth and...well it's not a jolly thought is it? More alarmingly, as I drift off to sleep I've started focusing on my breathing, realising that each breath I take is one breath closer to my last - another one has been used up. This kind of thinkin...

Today was quite a contrast to yesterday. Went to Mallory Park with Dad to watch Colin test his Peugeot 205 GTi race car. It didn't exactly go to plan as his ever-problematic engine decided to play up and then seize. So he only managed a few laps, and not particularly fast ones at that. Still, I got to see a 'race outfit' in operation (complete with Coca Cola bottle...) and watched the other cars, motorbikes and sidecars test. The picture that I said I'd take isn't of me, but it is of the c...

Today has been...not one of my best. Wallowing would be too dramatic a term, but certainly I've been overly relaxed and have not felt like getting up at all. I would say that 75% of today has been spent in bed either sleeping or reading (the excellent) "The Sacred Art of Stealing" by Christopher Brookmyre. It's an excellent book and I recommend it, along with everything else he's written. (Note - If you do decide to read his stuff read them in the order he wrote them as there are cross reference...

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I decided over the weekend that I am going to leave again. I've looked at the TES Jobs site and there are a few that look interesting. I'm going to try for a few of the ones in Europe over the coming weeks. My decision isn't totally unexpected but I have given it a go. I have tried and have put myself in the position where I could stay here, but to be honest I'm not happy in England. I do enjoy the football, snooker and badminton I play, and I do (and am) enjoying seeing more of my family and...

So, this evening, the Fridge went to a new home. It's been known to the family since it was new in 1989 and for the past nine years has been owned by first me (1995-1999) and then Mum (1999-2004). When I first owned it I was in my year at Lancaster University. I was barely out of my teens and it replaced the Van. I remember loving how smooth it was, how refined, how nicely it drived. It was a modern car and despite it being a white Toyota Corolla estate and it having done 120,000 miles I loved i...

Went down to London last night to see Debbie, Barry & Julie. Had a great time - good to see them all. Got home at 4.30am!!! No work today but on this occasion probably for the best, although it's quite early now and I feel OK. I'll be struggling come this evening though I bet.

Except I don't go to church so I keep forgetting. Anyway, today was OK. Played football in the morning and was much improved from last week. This afternoon I watched Seven on my computer and surprise, surprise played Championship Manager for a while. Off to bed now as it's a big day tomorrow... Good night!

It's Saturday night and I'm sat at my computer...about to watch Pirates of the Caribbean on said computer though so it's not all that sad. Or perhaps it is. Today I went looking for cars for Colin with him and Dad. Had fun playing with the sat-nav in his Jaguar, but it was very cramped in there and it made me feel ill... Coming up in the future are trips to London and Jersey, plus the possibility of some work (amazingly I'm actually up for it in a big way!) . The fitness thing is going reasonabl...

Today I sent out a letter to loads of local schools letting them know that I'm out here! Hopefully some work will come my way soon. Have to admit I'm quite looking forward to it now even though I am enjoying this very extended holiday! This morning I had a sebacious (sp?) cyst removed from my neck. It didn't hurt at all but I could feel the skin pulling when he did the stitches. Off to badminton tonight - Alex is coming along too which will be good. With a bit of luck I'll be much better at b...

What happens if you look at a weight and see half of it as imperial and half of it as metric? Simple, you underestimate your weight by a whole stone... It was always going to start on the 1st February (the exercise regime started 1st January) but now...oh my oh my... Apart from that...the Fridge is now on eBay (see the link below) and in the first 4 hours reached £50! Only hope it hasn't peaked too soon. Good news work wise is that I am now officially cleared to work as a teacher in Warwic...

It's 4pm on Saturday afternoon and I'm sat typing this. I've been sat at this computer or reading or sleeping for the past 36 hours. The exception was yesterday evening when I went to Dad's house with Mum. Exciting... I received confirmation that all my checks have been completed. I am no longer an axe-murderer in the eys of the state and I can teach in England again! So now I have to wait for the supply register to come out (not sure when that's going to be - had better 'phone them!) and mails...

So, the great freeze is here...Nan still has all the windows open. Mum loves her new car. At badminton last night I was OK, Good, Pisspoor. In that order. Off to the gym in an hour. I might be off to Aberystwyth on Friday but the weather might win. It's a long enough journey as it is without having to go slowly because of the ice. Don't like the weather getting the better of me but...we'll see - I'm monitoring the situation. I have to say something about that git...does anyone really have any f...