My mate needed his light fixed so I trotted off there to do that - thought shall I get the bus or walk - well it is crisp and cold so decided a 30 minutes there and back would be good. Stuck the MP3 Player on and blow me every bit of music was a sad one - Adele, Coldplay you bloody well name it on it came and they are really sad - lost love, won't see you again, fix you, oh bloody hell what a succession of tunes and it meant by the time I'd got home I was in a sad old place indeed. Just music of course but it does conjure up stuff and paints a story that of course doesn't really exist but hey. Home now and just going through some odds and ends - I did fancy a pint on the way home but I might just have tea and take myself out for a few beers later - it is normally quiet on a Tuesday up the pub so perhaps just go and have a few beers, take my book with me and spend some time chilling out.
I need to also get to bed earlier - I am getting later and later and need to stop, get to bed and try and sleep. It's been a strange old day all around today. I hope tomorrow turns out better.
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
The Phoney War
Not that it is a war as such. No it feels all in limbo at the moment. Like the World War where nothing happened for months and months. Something is going to happen, we all know that but we don't know when. In some ways we don't know what either.
It's a funny feeling, not disturbing almost like being lightheaded perhaps slightly tipsy a middle world half way between one thing and the other. The atmosphere here isn't great but it isn't nasty or threatening or anything like that. It is a place of sadness and you can feel it as you walk around here and heaven only knows what it is going to be like when I take my stuff and move out. I hope that it will settle down but I can see that Mrs. F. wouldn't want to stay here. I just need her to think this through as initially she was moving out and I was happy to stay here, in fact, had I got the job I would have secured a mortgage and bought her out as I'm happy enough at this house and it would have suited my purposes all around. She then changed her mind so I'm moving out - there's no way we could live here together for much longer - even now it's 5 months too long.
I have been looking at my stuff and it's going to be sort of interesting as I haven't really thought what I am going to take and what I am going to leave. In some ways I can get away with taking very little but then started to list all the "stuff" I have like Lodge stuff - that's a box full of stuff on its own - files and the like. I've got rid of most of the old stuff but have to keep 6 years records for financials. I have quite a few clothes and so many books = but do I take my shelving units to house them? I've some, not a lot, of ornaments and nick knacks that I may just have to box up and leave here. I have loads of stuff that I doubt I'll use much until I finally settle wherever I finally settle :-) Then I can imagine it being settled and can all come out and gather dust again!
I am still decluttering as best I can - the problem now is that with auto re listing feature I may end up having stuff for sale in 30 days and that's January so maybe I will switch that off on this lot and see where it gets too. I suppose I could always just switch it all off at that time. Mind you it is slowing down now compared to the beginning but I suppose this stuff isn't as desirable or collectable. I have some stuff that can go up which is Christmas related which needs to go up now to have a chance of making it.
That's another consideration I don't want to be doing too much trading over Christmas - I'd prefer to be sorting stuff out ready to get a real launch in 2014 for the business.
It's a funny feeling, not disturbing almost like being lightheaded perhaps slightly tipsy a middle world half way between one thing and the other. The atmosphere here isn't great but it isn't nasty or threatening or anything like that. It is a place of sadness and you can feel it as you walk around here and heaven only knows what it is going to be like when I take my stuff and move out. I hope that it will settle down but I can see that Mrs. F. wouldn't want to stay here. I just need her to think this through as initially she was moving out and I was happy to stay here, in fact, had I got the job I would have secured a mortgage and bought her out as I'm happy enough at this house and it would have suited my purposes all around. She then changed her mind so I'm moving out - there's no way we could live here together for much longer - even now it's 5 months too long.
I have been looking at my stuff and it's going to be sort of interesting as I haven't really thought what I am going to take and what I am going to leave. In some ways I can get away with taking very little but then started to list all the "stuff" I have like Lodge stuff - that's a box full of stuff on its own - files and the like. I've got rid of most of the old stuff but have to keep 6 years records for financials. I have quite a few clothes and so many books = but do I take my shelving units to house them? I've some, not a lot, of ornaments and nick knacks that I may just have to box up and leave here. I have loads of stuff that I doubt I'll use much until I finally settle wherever I finally settle :-) Then I can imagine it being settled and can all come out and gather dust again!
I am still decluttering as best I can - the problem now is that with auto re listing feature I may end up having stuff for sale in 30 days and that's January so maybe I will switch that off on this lot and see where it gets too. I suppose I could always just switch it all off at that time. Mind you it is slowing down now compared to the beginning but I suppose this stuff isn't as desirable or collectable. I have some stuff that can go up which is Christmas related which needs to go up now to have a chance of making it.
That's another consideration I don't want to be doing too much trading over Christmas - I'd prefer to be sorting stuff out ready to get a real launch in 2014 for the business.
What To Do With Myself
I wonder if I actually go out on my own this week a few times to try it out? Sounds strange well why not, I'm going to be on my own and perhaps a wander down to the pub on my own and just have a few beers - I can take my paper work with me and work on the business. Perhaps I can take myself down to the Jazz on Wednesday despite my friend not being there - who knows who I will meet? It isn't rocket science after all.
Of course I'm actually a pretty shy person and so that will be interesting but I'll just have to get used to it. I'm sure it will do me good to start to recognise how I feel about things and what I can do about them. My local pub is after all well know to me and they know me a little so that's OK too. The Jazz again they know me - after all I've been going there for 25 years!
Maybe I'll just take those steps and just give myself that stretch out.
Of course I'm actually a pretty shy person and so that will be interesting but I'll just have to get used to it. I'm sure it will do me good to start to recognise how I feel about things and what I can do about them. My local pub is after all well know to me and they know me a little so that's OK too. The Jazz again they know me - after all I've been going there for 25 years!
Maybe I'll just take those steps and just give myself that stretch out.
Monday, December 02, 2013
Much Better Day - Weekends Are Pants
It is a much better day today and it is because weekends are a drag and difficult and very awkward indeed. It isn't hate it is just massive sadness and the house reeks of it. Luckily I'm out tonight. I was going to be out on Wednesday but that isn't going to happen now as the chap I go to the Jazz with has an Hospital appointment and so won't feel up to it.
Maybe I should arrange something else for that evening? That could be a plan - or just take myself off there on my own? I imagine that would be a bit sad though.
This weekend sees the Christmas Lunch that Mrs. F. and I hosted last year - I'll be going on my own - she thought we both might go but I didn't think it was appropriate. It is interesting that it was at that do last year I realised how big I had gotten. I was 3 1/2 stones heavier than I am now and didn't fit into my suit. I'd put most of that weight on in that year and a lot whilst going you and down to see my dad.
It will be interesting as it will be the first time that many people will realise that something has happened and that Mrs. F. and I are no longer together. I hope it will not be a bad occasion for all that.
Weekdays are much easier to deal with I find and I'm able to just focus on getting on with this de-cluttering exercise which in 2 months has raised close to £2,000 which means I can contribute to the house a bit more than I was before. In fact more than I've contributed in about 2 and a half years or is it 3 and a half years - I forget. Whatever it is, I need to remind myself that after the distraction of the business I just couldn't get going and now I know why that was and it was interesting/academic in some ways that I the longer I went without a job the more isolated I was made and then became. Mrs. F. doesn't get it at all or I don't think she does. It just became an ongoing day-by-day withdrawal of services - if that doesn't sound too crude - bit by bit my life just shut down. Terribly sad I acknowledge but there you have it.
At least things are changing now and I'm sort of free to get on although it is difficult to just sit down and concentrate on the business at the moment. I think I might do one more large push now on eBay and then have done with it after that. It is getting to be hard work now and whilst it makes a bit of cash all the high value things are, I believe, gone. It is also coming up towards Christmas and so I need to work out what I am going to do about that too. That said it is getting nearer the time where a potential move may be on the cards and I don't need too much stuff cluttering up my life and I can bring the curtain down on the de-cluttering for a while.
Maybe I should arrange something else for that evening? That could be a plan - or just take myself off there on my own? I imagine that would be a bit sad though.
This weekend sees the Christmas Lunch that Mrs. F. and I hosted last year - I'll be going on my own - she thought we both might go but I didn't think it was appropriate. It is interesting that it was at that do last year I realised how big I had gotten. I was 3 1/2 stones heavier than I am now and didn't fit into my suit. I'd put most of that weight on in that year and a lot whilst going you and down to see my dad.
It will be interesting as it will be the first time that many people will realise that something has happened and that Mrs. F. and I are no longer together. I hope it will not be a bad occasion for all that.
Weekdays are much easier to deal with I find and I'm able to just focus on getting on with this de-cluttering exercise which in 2 months has raised close to £2,000 which means I can contribute to the house a bit more than I was before. In fact more than I've contributed in about 2 and a half years or is it 3 and a half years - I forget. Whatever it is, I need to remind myself that after the distraction of the business I just couldn't get going and now I know why that was and it was interesting/academic in some ways that I the longer I went without a job the more isolated I was made and then became. Mrs. F. doesn't get it at all or I don't think she does. It just became an ongoing day-by-day withdrawal of services - if that doesn't sound too crude - bit by bit my life just shut down. Terribly sad I acknowledge but there you have it.
At least things are changing now and I'm sort of free to get on although it is difficult to just sit down and concentrate on the business at the moment. I think I might do one more large push now on eBay and then have done with it after that. It is getting to be hard work now and whilst it makes a bit of cash all the high value things are, I believe, gone. It is also coming up towards Christmas and so I need to work out what I am going to do about that too. That said it is getting nearer the time where a potential move may be on the cards and I don't need too much stuff cluttering up my life and I can bring the curtain down on the de-cluttering for a while.
Sunday, December 01, 2013
Diet - Haven't Mentioned That For A While
It is going OK and I've stalled a bit I'm hovering around 15 Stone - a bit lighter some days a bit heavier some others but pretty much held firm at this weight for a while. I have been having a few more carbs of late but I'm not back on them - it's just that I don't stick to the 6 days and a cheat day anymore. My weight is pretty static and so I tend to perhaps do like this week where I was out three or more times to have had some carbs - some beer too etc.
What I have noticed is that my stomach is pretty much flat now and there is no "love handles" to the sides of my stomach. My thighs are smaller as are my arms and around my chest. I'm changing shape and I'm now firmly on the last notch of my belt so - something I haven't been since I got ill - 7 years ago! So stuff is beginning to fit me. I hope that I can lose plenty more in the New Year and have a feeling that a new place and a new life will do this for me. I should have the time and inclination to do some more exercise and maybe I can get the exercise machines somewhere in the new place and can get back to using them during the day. It would make sense.
My brother has lost 6 stone so far on the Low Carbohydrate High Fat regime and he looked good when I saw him and I'm told he is really getting to look fitter and all his numbers are working. I suppose I ought to go to the Doctors and get my BP done and catch up on this Chest thing I did. I wonder if it will be different now considering it was done a day or so before I asked Mrs. F. for a divorce? I'm guessing I was pretty stressed out when I went there and hopefully I won't be this time.
I'm going to carry on with the lifestyle changes - I don't feel anything but fit and healthy I have to say. Long may that continue and let's hope new scenery will help me get to losing some more weight in the New Year.
What I have noticed is that my stomach is pretty much flat now and there is no "love handles" to the sides of my stomach. My thighs are smaller as are my arms and around my chest. I'm changing shape and I'm now firmly on the last notch of my belt so - something I haven't been since I got ill - 7 years ago! So stuff is beginning to fit me. I hope that I can lose plenty more in the New Year and have a feeling that a new place and a new life will do this for me. I should have the time and inclination to do some more exercise and maybe I can get the exercise machines somewhere in the new place and can get back to using them during the day. It would make sense.
My brother has lost 6 stone so far on the Low Carbohydrate High Fat regime and he looked good when I saw him and I'm told he is really getting to look fitter and all his numbers are working. I suppose I ought to go to the Doctors and get my BP done and catch up on this Chest thing I did. I wonder if it will be different now considering it was done a day or so before I asked Mrs. F. for a divorce? I'm guessing I was pretty stressed out when I went there and hopefully I won't be this time.
I'm going to carry on with the lifestyle changes - I don't feel anything but fit and healthy I have to say. Long may that continue and let's hope new scenery will help me get to losing some more weight in the New Year.
Another LONG Weekend
It is hard work rotating around each other - luckily I was out Saturday afternoon / evening and Mrs. F was out most of the day. I lay in bed for a few hours this morning to keep out of the way and we have been revolving around each other all day. I leave her to watch her TV programme and I'm in the office - I can wander down in an hour. Luckily I have stuff to do and so that's OK by me.
I wonder whether my Eckhart Tolle book will arrive soon. I've bought a copy for Mrs. F. - I think it will help her come to terms with her sadness - it worked for me. I've had to come to terms with more than just separating from Mrs. F. I had to shake myself out of my depression, move on and stop being a victim and more over deal with the intense pain of losing someone at the very moment that I'd finally got myself sorted out :-) Life can throw some cruel curve balls at you.
I had to deal with the whole lot but of course so much of it was of my own making in the first place. That was what it boiled down to of course, owning up to and taking charge of the situation. Removing the things that were giving me the pain, the depression and the sheer inability to be able to affect any of it. For years I had used avoiding tactics and finally I took charge and moved on.
That book 'A New Earth' arrived at just the right time. It didn't stop what was happening from happening - but it helped me make sense of and to deal with it. The loss of my 'angel' was the hardest thing to deal with. What matters though is that at that time it was what I needed and you can call it Karma if you will but it all happened at the same time and for what I humbly believe to be for the right reasons. I can't say that I truly understand the reasons or the timing or why some things happened the way they did but that's what happened and that's the way it was.
It's not as if my 'angel' is dead and it's not as if we won't meet again, it's just that for a short period of my life, through perhaps the toughest time (excepting having Cancer) there was someone there who made me think differently, who made me think differently about myself, who introduced the concept of Karma and who became the catalyst of many actions or at least suddenly allowed me to actually look at myself., take control and to make some of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, to face up to and acknowledge what I needed to do about it and to start to truly understand and appreciate who I am and to focus on being me and not beating myself up about it.
I appreciate that in a month or two I'll be out of this situation and into something completely different and it will then be a period of adjustment, perhaps a bit of quiet contemplation and then a rebuilding phase.
I suggested that Cancer knocks all of your confidence away and strips you of your self esteem and so many parts of you are undermined not just your health but your personality and your human nature your humanity and so many aspects. My 'angel' finally made me realise that all that was locked up in me and just needed to be seen and appreciated for what it is. Made me feel good about myself, able to go and meet people and not be worried. To see good in others, to be good to others, to not (or try not) to judge or prejudge, to use patience and empathy and to just be what I was all along but was locked in through fear of opening up and being hurt again and again.
But hurt I was and painfully so but I realise now that it could be no other way that there needed this earthquake of a disturbance in my life for if that had not been there I believe I would be so deeply depressed now that I would be on medication and probably the complete opposite of how I find myself today. So now, I look back and can only ever think of the most remarkable summer I can ever remember for I finally connected with it all and still do. I walked along last night to my "Hot Date" and took in things like the leaves falling and noises of animals and birds as I wandered. People going about their lives and it all just felt great. That feeling is great and long may I continue to just enjoy being in the now - it is a good place to be.
I wonder whether my Eckhart Tolle book will arrive soon. I've bought a copy for Mrs. F. - I think it will help her come to terms with her sadness - it worked for me. I've had to come to terms with more than just separating from Mrs. F. I had to shake myself out of my depression, move on and stop being a victim and more over deal with the intense pain of losing someone at the very moment that I'd finally got myself sorted out :-) Life can throw some cruel curve balls at you.
I had to deal with the whole lot but of course so much of it was of my own making in the first place. That was what it boiled down to of course, owning up to and taking charge of the situation. Removing the things that were giving me the pain, the depression and the sheer inability to be able to affect any of it. For years I had used avoiding tactics and finally I took charge and moved on.
That book 'A New Earth' arrived at just the right time. It didn't stop what was happening from happening - but it helped me make sense of and to deal with it. The loss of my 'angel' was the hardest thing to deal with. What matters though is that at that time it was what I needed and you can call it Karma if you will but it all happened at the same time and for what I humbly believe to be for the right reasons. I can't say that I truly understand the reasons or the timing or why some things happened the way they did but that's what happened and that's the way it was.
It's not as if my 'angel' is dead and it's not as if we won't meet again, it's just that for a short period of my life, through perhaps the toughest time (excepting having Cancer) there was someone there who made me think differently, who made me think differently about myself, who introduced the concept of Karma and who became the catalyst of many actions or at least suddenly allowed me to actually look at myself., take control and to make some of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, to face up to and acknowledge what I needed to do about it and to start to truly understand and appreciate who I am and to focus on being me and not beating myself up about it.
I appreciate that in a month or two I'll be out of this situation and into something completely different and it will then be a period of adjustment, perhaps a bit of quiet contemplation and then a rebuilding phase.
I suggested that Cancer knocks all of your confidence away and strips you of your self esteem and so many parts of you are undermined not just your health but your personality and your human nature your humanity and so many aspects. My 'angel' finally made me realise that all that was locked up in me and just needed to be seen and appreciated for what it is. Made me feel good about myself, able to go and meet people and not be worried. To see good in others, to be good to others, to not (or try not) to judge or prejudge, to use patience and empathy and to just be what I was all along but was locked in through fear of opening up and being hurt again and again.
But hurt I was and painfully so but I realise now that it could be no other way that there needed this earthquake of a disturbance in my life for if that had not been there I believe I would be so deeply depressed now that I would be on medication and probably the complete opposite of how I find myself today. So now, I look back and can only ever think of the most remarkable summer I can ever remember for I finally connected with it all and still do. I walked along last night to my "Hot Date" and took in things like the leaves falling and noises of animals and birds as I wandered. People going about their lives and it all just felt great. That feeling is great and long may I continue to just enjoy being in the now - it is a good place to be.
Yay - Good Night - No Facebook No Hangover
I actually switched my Laptop to hibernate. I then went on to the night out. Drank little, ate well, behaved myself, came back, didn't even come into the office, went to bed. It can be done.
I am now very wary of my own actions - I am a little more affected than I think I am sometimes and know that the answer is not found at the bottom of a glass or bottle.
Anyway - it was a great night out, really enjoyed the company and even managed to remember everyone's names properly this time (long story).
I am now very wary of my own actions - I am a little more affected than I think I am sometimes and know that the answer is not found at the bottom of a glass or bottle.
Anyway - it was a great night out, really enjoyed the company and even managed to remember everyone's names properly this time (long story).
Saturday, November 30, 2013
A Hot Date :-)
Probably not but the phrase was coined sometime ago. Flocky and I meet up with a couple of the girls from the centre and go out once or twice a year for a few drinks and some food.
I am so looking forward to getting out again. It's a good evening, great company and that's the important thing.
Mrs. F. has gone out and the house is all mine this morning. I've done some eBay stuff and I'm about to go post those and then just work out what I can do for the rest of the day leading up to this evening. I will probably walk to the restaurant it is about 45 minutes walk but it is quite enjoyable - last time I did it - it was in the summer so I imagine in the cold and dark it may not be quite so enjoyable as I found it before.
I must remember not to drink anything like the amount or type (Sake) that I did last time I went out.... :-)
I am so looking forward to getting out again. It's a good evening, great company and that's the important thing.
Mrs. F. has gone out and the house is all mine this morning. I've done some eBay stuff and I'm about to go post those and then just work out what I can do for the rest of the day leading up to this evening. I will probably walk to the restaurant it is about 45 minutes walk but it is quite enjoyable - last time I did it - it was in the summer so I imagine in the cold and dark it may not be quite so enjoyable as I found it before.
I must remember not to drink anything like the amount or type (Sake) that I did last time I went out.... :-)
Friday, November 29, 2013
La Vie En Rose
Another film to wipe you out when you are slightly running on the edge :-) It's a difficult film to watch in many ways - I can't say there's anything uplifting about Edith Piaf's life - well not that I could see anyway. It is certainly a painful film to watch but you can see why it won a few Oscars and a handful of BAFTAs too. It certainly left me a little weepy because in the end it was a tale of so many maybes and tragedies in her life.
Oh well, I am back up in my office and I don't think I will do much more tonight - I was going to get stuck into some figure work but later nights, spreadsheets, maths and trying to sleep are not good bedfellows with me anyway.
Perhaps I'll listen to some sounds - slightly quietly - charge up my MP3 player for tomorrow and turn in early (for me).
The house isn't a great place to be in and Mrs. F. and I have hardly said a word all night. It's sad and it's a shame. Tomorrow I am out in the evening with some friends for a few drinks and a meal and I am so looking forward to getting out and just enjoying a bit of laughter. I certainly could do with that. I've been lucky to have been out a number of times this week and so things haven't been too bad I suppose.
Well looking forward to the weekend and see if that cheers me up - sure it will.
Oh well, I am back up in my office and I don't think I will do much more tonight - I was going to get stuck into some figure work but later nights, spreadsheets, maths and trying to sleep are not good bedfellows with me anyway.
Perhaps I'll listen to some sounds - slightly quietly - charge up my MP3 player for tomorrow and turn in early (for me).
The house isn't a great place to be in and Mrs. F. and I have hardly said a word all night. It's sad and it's a shame. Tomorrow I am out in the evening with some friends for a few drinks and a meal and I am so looking forward to getting out and just enjoying a bit of laughter. I certainly could do with that. I've been lucky to have been out a number of times this week and so things haven't been too bad I suppose.
Well looking forward to the weekend and see if that cheers me up - sure it will.
Christmas and Birthdays - Decisions To Be Made
This is a real wrestle. What to do about Mrs. F's birthday coming up and Christmas. I've been advised not to buy anything but certainly to do cards if nothing else. It feel dreadful to not buy her a present for either her birthday or for Christmas but I can see all sides of this and it feels wrong whatever I do about it. If I buy her something she may not like it because it comes from / reminds her of me. If I don't it stops something I've done for 38 or more years :-( How difficult it is to know what to do.
I actually feel a little queasy thinking about it. How difficult all this is for us and on one hand if I buy her something it sends out wrong signals and if I don't it does too.
Oh well - next year it probably won't be so bad I hope.
I spend more of my days being happy and content these days. I get these little niggling doubts of course I do, bound to I'm sure. I just have to go and replay my reasons why and then I am OK with my decision. It's such a big thing of course and there are doubts on all sorts of things. Of course, I like the idea that I can turn a new page and just move on. I worry that Mrs. F. still struggles with the pain of it all and then I think to myself that I cannot do anything about this as much as I really want to help her and make things right and make her feel better - it isn't me who can do that. I'd like her to understand it all and I'd like her to learn and meet someone and for her to be happy. In fact that's something I really want for her - to be happy again especialy after I made her so sad.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Don't Make The Same Mistakes I Made :-)
Suddenly I know all about it! Don't spend all of your time out doing Masonic stuff and spending time away from your wife I heard myself say tonight!
Mmmm - hindsight such a great thing I suppose but I find that the one thing I'd change is being more attentive and spending far more time "working at it" than I ever did. Now here is the thing though - do you think anyone listened? No I don't think they did and I don't suppose I did years ago either.
I think that I would spend a lot of time in future building the relationship rather than running away from it.
Here is a wonderful little bit of music - just invest 10 minutes and watch the rather sad video that goes with it. I love it... :-)
Mmmm - hindsight such a great thing I suppose but I find that the one thing I'd change is being more attentive and spending far more time "working at it" than I ever did. Now here is the thing though - do you think anyone listened? No I don't think they did and I don't suppose I did years ago either.
I think that I would spend a lot of time in future building the relationship rather than running away from it.
Here is a wonderful little bit of music - just invest 10 minutes and watch the rather sad video that goes with it. I love it... :-)
That Was Fun
I substituted for a friend at his business networking breakfast and as these things go it was good enough fun. It's interesting watching people and I managed to chat to some interesting people and just watch behaviour. I did manage to isolate myself for a few moments to have some coffee and they wouldn't have that - which was rather nice of them.
It always amazes me that you get people come to these events that are only after business and don't make the effort. I made the effort twice with two people that had business propositions that watching paint dry was a far more interesting venture but I stuck with it. Who knows, I could help. I did a little about my new business and so managed to briefly tell people what I was planning to do. It was early - phew! But it was nice to get out, take the car, drive opposite the hoards driving to London :-) just enjoy it and not worry about it although I did feel a tiny bit nervous before I got up to speak but then again - it's what I do well and so it all worked out fine.
It's a very interesting setup and I can see why my mate uses it - lots of leads and referrals. For me, at the moment, it's too early to start that but if there is a local chapter then perhaps it is worth looking at. For £12 a week roughly I imagine it can pay you back pretty quickly.
So I'm back home now just gone 9:30 and relaxed and ready for the rest of my day - I'm off to London this afternoon for a Lodge meeting - a Centenary and I know quite a few of the people there so it will be good. Again, it will just be a nice day out and I've forced myself to do it. I should do it more often too. Once I get past the obstacles I put in my own way and go I really enjoy it - I hope that the obstacles will get less and less in the future in fact I'm sure they will.
Today is a good day - let there be many more please... :-)
It always amazes me that you get people come to these events that are only after business and don't make the effort. I made the effort twice with two people that had business propositions that watching paint dry was a far more interesting venture but I stuck with it. Who knows, I could help. I did a little about my new business and so managed to briefly tell people what I was planning to do. It was early - phew! But it was nice to get out, take the car, drive opposite the hoards driving to London :-) just enjoy it and not worry about it although I did feel a tiny bit nervous before I got up to speak but then again - it's what I do well and so it all worked out fine.
It's a very interesting setup and I can see why my mate uses it - lots of leads and referrals. For me, at the moment, it's too early to start that but if there is a local chapter then perhaps it is worth looking at. For £12 a week roughly I imagine it can pay you back pretty quickly.
So I'm back home now just gone 9:30 and relaxed and ready for the rest of my day - I'm off to London this afternoon for a Lodge meeting - a Centenary and I know quite a few of the people there so it will be good. Again, it will just be a nice day out and I've forced myself to do it. I should do it more often too. Once I get past the obstacles I put in my own way and go I really enjoy it - I hope that the obstacles will get less and less in the future in fact I'm sure they will.
Today is a good day - let there be many more please... :-)
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Different Day - Different Perspective
I don't know what it was about speaking to my Nephew last night but another layer of "worry" shall we call it peeled away. I'd also had a long chat with my business partner and once again it really is good t chat things through and to find out that it "isn't just me" who feels a certain way etc.
I found on waking this morning that another weight had gone from me and I'm really pleased about that because it dragged me back a few weeks ago - I wrote about it not so long ago too. It was about something in the past that I really wanted to recreate in my future and suddenly it was very important to me to do this. It is pretty much an impossibility but there were chinks that this crazy plot could see the light of day. Thank goodness this morning that's gone, it wasn't helping and it's gone and it's dead and that's fine by me now. It should hurt but I did all the hurt sometime ago and it's in the past and all that's happened now is that with some regret up until yesterday I knew I had to let the thought(s) and that person go. No regrets this morning, a new reality is here and I'm at one with myself about it, comfortable and resigned.
It all sounds obscure and so it should be but I discussed this last night and realised overnight that it was just my mind trying to get back in control and my ego and also my pain body all trying to edge their way back in. No sir, not again and that's the thing - if you retake control you can get past this.
Not much else happening today, I need to now work out what to do about a business address as the chap I spoke to isn't interested. That's OK I know what I think I need to do. Just got to go and investigate it.
I found on waking this morning that another weight had gone from me and I'm really pleased about that because it dragged me back a few weeks ago - I wrote about it not so long ago too. It was about something in the past that I really wanted to recreate in my future and suddenly it was very important to me to do this. It is pretty much an impossibility but there were chinks that this crazy plot could see the light of day. Thank goodness this morning that's gone, it wasn't helping and it's gone and it's dead and that's fine by me now. It should hurt but I did all the hurt sometime ago and it's in the past and all that's happened now is that with some regret up until yesterday I knew I had to let the thought(s) and that person go. No regrets this morning, a new reality is here and I'm at one with myself about it, comfortable and resigned.
It all sounds obscure and so it should be but I discussed this last night and realised overnight that it was just my mind trying to get back in control and my ego and also my pain body all trying to edge their way back in. No sir, not again and that's the thing - if you retake control you can get past this.
Not much else happening today, I need to now work out what to do about a business address as the chap I spoke to isn't interested. That's OK I know what I think I need to do. Just got to go and investigate it.
Nephew Is OK With It All
My Nephew whom I've known since he was born is very special to me. He was born just a few months after Mrs. F and I were married and his father left I suppose when he was only a year or two old and they moved back near us and so we have grown up with him since then. We took him to University, we looked after him after school and so many things we shared as if he was our own son. He and I have been very close for all these years and so it was with some trepidation that I found myself apologising to him that Mrs. F. and I were splitting up.
Yes - it was a shock. No, he knew something was up - he knows me well enough to get the tone of my emails :-)
It was a good evening although we couldn't find much to eat as the local football club had taken over the curry house! So we ended up with a few bags of nuts and extra beers and I supplemented that with a fried egg sandwich on my return home!
He's almost a third child to us I suppose and so it was only appropriate that he knew but not his mum or his uncle! Mrs. F. please sort this out!
Anyway it was a good evening all around and apart from having to give out some bad news I found it very cathartic to speak to him - having two daughters doesn't always make a heart to heart conversation easy.
It was nice of him ( but not unexpected) that he stepped up to the plate - bless him....
Yes - it was a shock. No, he knew something was up - he knows me well enough to get the tone of my emails :-)
It was a good evening although we couldn't find much to eat as the local football club had taken over the curry house! So we ended up with a few bags of nuts and extra beers and I supplemented that with a fried egg sandwich on my return home!
He's almost a third child to us I suppose and so it was only appropriate that he knew but not his mum or his uncle! Mrs. F. please sort this out!
Anyway it was a good evening all around and apart from having to give out some bad news I found it very cathartic to speak to him - having two daughters doesn't always make a heart to heart conversation easy.
It was nice of him ( but not unexpected) that he stepped up to the plate - bless him....
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Nice Surprise
My old business partner dropped by unexpected and we went out for some coffee. We discussed Eckhart Tolle's 'A New Earth' book which I've actually bought for Mrs. F. as I feel it may well help her a lot coming to terms with things. It certainly has made a profound affect on me and I feel so much better, so much more 'in control' and no longer sucuumb to the huge swings of depression I used to get - or at least so far that is. I rarely get angry now or if I do it is fleeting and I bring myself straight back under control. I am having quite a few episodes, as you would expect, about leaving my wife, starting a new venture, sadness and excitement and all sorts of emotions but and the BIG but is that I can recognise and bring these under control too.
We both had traumatic events happen in our lives and this year has been bad for both of us with tragedies and sadness, false hopes, unlucky in finding employment and all sorts of things but it was nice that neither of us are in a 'bad place' which is good. The book helps without a doubt to move me forwards and him too.
Mrs. F. has just gone out and my nephew is about to arrive and we are going out for some drinks and for a curry or something like that. I hope that the news won't be too much of a shock to him in fact I am sure I've told him in the past about it so maybe not.
So a day of taking it easy which I was pleased about and it's nice that I've just taken some time off to have a think about things. I need a little space for a while to concentrate on the business and to get my thoughts together on that. Interestingly enough knowing that things may just be taking a little longer until getting out of here will be good as I can take it that little bit easier and take my foot off the gas.
We both had traumatic events happen in our lives and this year has been bad for both of us with tragedies and sadness, false hopes, unlucky in finding employment and all sorts of things but it was nice that neither of us are in a 'bad place' which is good. The book helps without a doubt to move me forwards and him too.
Mrs. F. has just gone out and my nephew is about to arrive and we are going out for some drinks and for a curry or something like that. I hope that the news won't be too much of a shock to him in fact I am sure I've told him in the past about it so maybe not.
So a day of taking it easy which I was pleased about and it's nice that I've just taken some time off to have a think about things. I need a little space for a while to concentrate on the business and to get my thoughts together on that. Interestingly enough knowing that things may just be taking a little longer until getting out of here will be good as I can take it that little bit easier and take my foot off the gas.
Slowing Down Now
I could make a further push on decluttering but feel a rest is as good as a change :-) Or something like that! :-)
I've just slowed it a pace because I am spending lots of time on decluttering and not much time on myself at the moment. It's OK because I pulled in sufficient funds to contribute to the household and I've got some of the new business stuff sorted but I think I need to now concentrate on the business rather than on decluttering and also just take a breath as I threw myself at this rather and whilst I've made some cash and made a hole in the pile of stuff I had - it's getting a bit OCD and it really should be fun.
Flocky tells me that things are slightly held up on getting contracts exchanged as they want to do another small survey. It's all very well but that won't happen until the end of next week and that would be another week nearer Christmas and with the best will in the world trying to arrange to find, agree contracts, pay for and move in before Christmas is going to be difficult so perhaps just afterwards might be possible.
I therefore need to prepare myself for Christmas possibly being at home. That's probably OK but I imagine it will be "atmospheric" but not in a great way. :-) At least I can work on how I'm going to approach that and what it means. I can also use the hiatus to perhaps prepare to write back to family and friends letting them know what is going on.
I feel that I should now also be starting to work on the new me. By that I mean that things have already changed and I have quite a bit but once I'm out of here I will be able to lead and live my life differently and I can get back to my music, books and social life. I have a nice circle of friends and I'm looking forward to getting to know them a bit more next year outside of the confines of my present situation. It's like getting out of jail I guess. I've got to adjust to the outside world and then slowly get back to "normality" whatever that may be.
I've just slowed it a pace because I am spending lots of time on decluttering and not much time on myself at the moment. It's OK because I pulled in sufficient funds to contribute to the household and I've got some of the new business stuff sorted but I think I need to now concentrate on the business rather than on decluttering and also just take a breath as I threw myself at this rather and whilst I've made some cash and made a hole in the pile of stuff I had - it's getting a bit OCD and it really should be fun.
Flocky tells me that things are slightly held up on getting contracts exchanged as they want to do another small survey. It's all very well but that won't happen until the end of next week and that would be another week nearer Christmas and with the best will in the world trying to arrange to find, agree contracts, pay for and move in before Christmas is going to be difficult so perhaps just afterwards might be possible.
I therefore need to prepare myself for Christmas possibly being at home. That's probably OK but I imagine it will be "atmospheric" but not in a great way. :-) At least I can work on how I'm going to approach that and what it means. I can also use the hiatus to perhaps prepare to write back to family and friends letting them know what is going on.
I feel that I should now also be starting to work on the new me. By that I mean that things have already changed and I have quite a bit but once I'm out of here I will be able to lead and live my life differently and I can get back to my music, books and social life. I have a nice circle of friends and I'm looking forward to getting to know them a bit more next year outside of the confines of my present situation. It's like getting out of jail I guess. I've got to adjust to the outside world and then slowly get back to "normality" whatever that may be.
Late Night AGAIN
I've got to stop this late late night stuff - I've been working all day and then went out for a meeting came back and started working again. Crazy but there you go I keep doing this and making my head spin until the early hours. I suppose I'm trying not to be around and not to clash with Mrs. F. too much but actually it's really blowing away my sleep patterns.
I'm going to stop now - finish this post and head off to bed and try and switch off - I should be able to do that using my meditation exercises.
Have a meeting with my Nephew tomorrow - need to lay the bad news on him and swear him to partial secrecy too. Gee Christmas is going to be difficult and Flocky seems to think that we may not get into the new place until after Christmas the way things are going with his exchange of contract. It will be difficult to see someone wanting to get a rental sorted so as to move in around the 22nd December!!! Doh. Oh well - in that case I'd better prepare the ground for an early move in 2014.... Oh the fun of it all :-) Of course it will be what it will be no matter what. It could be interesting one way or the other....
I'm going to stop now - finish this post and head off to bed and try and switch off - I should be able to do that using my meditation exercises.
Have a meeting with my Nephew tomorrow - need to lay the bad news on him and swear him to partial secrecy too. Gee Christmas is going to be difficult and Flocky seems to think that we may not get into the new place until after Christmas the way things are going with his exchange of contract. It will be difficult to see someone wanting to get a rental sorted so as to move in around the 22nd December!!! Doh. Oh well - in that case I'd better prepare the ground for an early move in 2014.... Oh the fun of it all :-) Of course it will be what it will be no matter what. It could be interesting one way or the other....
Monday, November 25, 2013
Busy Day - How I Like Them
I didn't earn a huge amount today but did a lot of packaging and posting labels - the Post Office was rammed full of people and interestingly enough there's another chap there who is selling records. I actually pre bought the labels so that I only had to get a few done - it looked amazing with a huge bag full. Was good being busy as the day has flown by.
My next door neighbours have moved by the looks of it - the removal van was there earlier and the cars are gone. Ho hum, a new era has begun. The village is a lot quieter I imagine :-)
As for me well I really want this false dawn to be over and to get the hell out and on with my life. I lay awake last night until gone three and that's not the first time this week. I have been doing a lot of "business" thinking into the evening so I have a head full of facts and figures but Mrs. F. and I did have some more discussions yesterday and I think that slowly she is accepting that I will be moving out and that there isn't much to stop that happening. I kind of worry about her but was told that it isn't helping for me to be like this. I do feel rather helpless in this. I so want her to accept it, to move on, to feel it's the right decision for her as well as for me.
Here's another take on things for you to consider. I was almost immobilised living here, I didn't actually need to do anything at all I could have ended up being a couch potato but I did not do that. I could have just sat there being depressed and it was the gradual sinking down into this pit, this rut that finally made me make a decision. I wouldn't wanted to have continued being like that and for Mrs. F. to be running around after a lazy, depressed old soak. In many ways, that person died when I made my mind up to leave her. I've tried really hard to be as independent as possible since then and try and do my bit in and around the house, finally fixing all the things that have been outstanding for years.
It should never have been that way in the first place but it ended up like that. I kick myself because she did "nurse" me through being ill and was there for me but of late I've taken to taking myself into hospital for checks and for operations which also says something I think?
Wanting to move on is also tempered by the fact that Christmas is a month today!!! I've done nothing about it really. It also Mrs. F's birthday soon and I've done nothing about that - some say don't buy anything - I feel sad about that. Perhaps a card maybe at least? I suppose a gift wouldn't mean anything at all to either of us. I shall check with her and see what she wants to do I feel terrible about that. It's not as if I've fallen out irretrievably with her or any other such thing.
Such are the quandaries of the ground I step on at the moment I suppose. I feel a little bit vulnerable because my real desire to make this as painless as possible for Mrs. F. may be sending the wrong signals and I'd be doing all the right things for totally the wrong reasons.
This time next year I guess things will be very different indeed and maybe we will be able to meet up and be friends because she really is a friend.
My next door neighbours have moved by the looks of it - the removal van was there earlier and the cars are gone. Ho hum, a new era has begun. The village is a lot quieter I imagine :-)
As for me well I really want this false dawn to be over and to get the hell out and on with my life. I lay awake last night until gone three and that's not the first time this week. I have been doing a lot of "business" thinking into the evening so I have a head full of facts and figures but Mrs. F. and I did have some more discussions yesterday and I think that slowly she is accepting that I will be moving out and that there isn't much to stop that happening. I kind of worry about her but was told that it isn't helping for me to be like this. I do feel rather helpless in this. I so want her to accept it, to move on, to feel it's the right decision for her as well as for me.
Here's another take on things for you to consider. I was almost immobilised living here, I didn't actually need to do anything at all I could have ended up being a couch potato but I did not do that. I could have just sat there being depressed and it was the gradual sinking down into this pit, this rut that finally made me make a decision. I wouldn't wanted to have continued being like that and for Mrs. F. to be running around after a lazy, depressed old soak. In many ways, that person died when I made my mind up to leave her. I've tried really hard to be as independent as possible since then and try and do my bit in and around the house, finally fixing all the things that have been outstanding for years.
It should never have been that way in the first place but it ended up like that. I kick myself because she did "nurse" me through being ill and was there for me but of late I've taken to taking myself into hospital for checks and for operations which also says something I think?
Wanting to move on is also tempered by the fact that Christmas is a month today!!! I've done nothing about it really. It also Mrs. F's birthday soon and I've done nothing about that - some say don't buy anything - I feel sad about that. Perhaps a card maybe at least? I suppose a gift wouldn't mean anything at all to either of us. I shall check with her and see what she wants to do I feel terrible about that. It's not as if I've fallen out irretrievably with her or any other such thing.
Such are the quandaries of the ground I step on at the moment I suppose. I feel a little bit vulnerable because my real desire to make this as painless as possible for Mrs. F. may be sending the wrong signals and I'd be doing all the right things for totally the wrong reasons.
This time next year I guess things will be very different indeed and maybe we will be able to meet up and be friends because she really is a friend.
A Week To Go Out More
I don't know why I'm on this "guilt trip" at the moment - or well I probably do. I've decided that I ought to go out a bit more and get used to it. It is too easy to sit here and mope around and I got an invite out and thought hell why not let's just go and do it. So I'm now out Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday night too so pretty good by my reckoning.
I plan on enjoying myself and in many ways just enjoy getting out and about - I am actually doing some form of work at the moment and on top of decluttering and selling off most of my stuff I am also writing the new business web site and a load of other things to do with that too like research and pricing matrix and so on. It will be hard work for sure but I'm pretty determined that once I get moved and settled that I want to launch the business and really make a go of it. It should be really exciting and I'll have new business cards and be able to launch the business to friends and family as well as to shake down my processes and procedures. Yes - I sound excited when I talk or write about it I can hear myself and the enthusiasm.
I am tending to stay in and not go out as I haven't got a job - funny isn't it yet I made enough cash from selling my stuff that I quite earnt more than Mrs. F. these past two months! It is coming to an end but I have another few boxes of stuff to go sell and see how I get on with those then the charity shops can have a dig but I will offer some to people I know first so they can have first dibs.
It will be interesting trying to run a separate household on our same bank account - somehow I feel we may change that around at some point in time. My savings earn more than Mrs. Fs so it actually I need to use the savings she holds for the interim and then we can work out what to do later. As I said to her it is a little complicated but I'm sure we can sort it all out it's just a matter of running a balance sheet between us and we do quite well now and she knows exactly how much I spend as I tell her and we balance it all at the end of the month. Mind you the savings will take a hit as I will probably have to pay 6 months (possibly 7) rent all out in one go and then there are moving costs and on top of that the cost of setting up the business. I hope that in 3 months I will be bringing in sufficient to stop the money going out and then make it money coming in and start to rebuild the balance. Mrs. F. owns half the business and as I said to her it's only fair and once we get to the divorce then she can take half of that as well - she doesn't like the idea nor that she is raiding my savings and pension but as I said to her, it is only fair that this happens. She is worried about the size of house she can move to and whether she can take the dining room table and I keep saying to her does it matter? This damn thing is wonderful, an antique can seat 14 people or 4 when collapsed - if it doesn't fit the new place or my new place then we can sell it. Like my piano - if it comes to it I will find an owner for it.
These are insignificant things to be worrying about I think. I mean they are things we all worry about I suppose but in the overall scheme of things - what on earth will either of us do with a massive antique 14 seater dining room table? It's lovely, it's functional but .... Surely other things are worth worrying about? I don't know, maybe it is me and I'm just not that interested in 'things' anymore. I want my comforts, to be happy and that will do me. I kind of fancy a small comfy home and I don't need a huge amount of space either and there's stuff lying around that's - well - a little bit old and of no 'value' and it's like keeping stuff from years ago - what's the purpose? I have books that are 20 or 30 years old that aren't current but were my College books - they have no use at all in the modern world - they aren't going to get read or used by anyone most of all me. They too will soon see a new use as a fuel source or they can head off to a recycling bin.
So - where am I going with all of this? Heaven knows! Goodnight....
I plan on enjoying myself and in many ways just enjoy getting out and about - I am actually doing some form of work at the moment and on top of decluttering and selling off most of my stuff I am also writing the new business web site and a load of other things to do with that too like research and pricing matrix and so on. It will be hard work for sure but I'm pretty determined that once I get moved and settled that I want to launch the business and really make a go of it. It should be really exciting and I'll have new business cards and be able to launch the business to friends and family as well as to shake down my processes and procedures. Yes - I sound excited when I talk or write about it I can hear myself and the enthusiasm.
I am tending to stay in and not go out as I haven't got a job - funny isn't it yet I made enough cash from selling my stuff that I quite earnt more than Mrs. F. these past two months! It is coming to an end but I have another few boxes of stuff to go sell and see how I get on with those then the charity shops can have a dig but I will offer some to people I know first so they can have first dibs.
It will be interesting trying to run a separate household on our same bank account - somehow I feel we may change that around at some point in time. My savings earn more than Mrs. Fs so it actually I need to use the savings she holds for the interim and then we can work out what to do later. As I said to her it is a little complicated but I'm sure we can sort it all out it's just a matter of running a balance sheet between us and we do quite well now and she knows exactly how much I spend as I tell her and we balance it all at the end of the month. Mind you the savings will take a hit as I will probably have to pay 6 months (possibly 7) rent all out in one go and then there are moving costs and on top of that the cost of setting up the business. I hope that in 3 months I will be bringing in sufficient to stop the money going out and then make it money coming in and start to rebuild the balance. Mrs. F. owns half the business and as I said to her it's only fair and once we get to the divorce then she can take half of that as well - she doesn't like the idea nor that she is raiding my savings and pension but as I said to her, it is only fair that this happens. She is worried about the size of house she can move to and whether she can take the dining room table and I keep saying to her does it matter? This damn thing is wonderful, an antique can seat 14 people or 4 when collapsed - if it doesn't fit the new place or my new place then we can sell it. Like my piano - if it comes to it I will find an owner for it.
These are insignificant things to be worrying about I think. I mean they are things we all worry about I suppose but in the overall scheme of things - what on earth will either of us do with a massive antique 14 seater dining room table? It's lovely, it's functional but .... Surely other things are worth worrying about? I don't know, maybe it is me and I'm just not that interested in 'things' anymore. I want my comforts, to be happy and that will do me. I kind of fancy a small comfy home and I don't need a huge amount of space either and there's stuff lying around that's - well - a little bit old and of no 'value' and it's like keeping stuff from years ago - what's the purpose? I have books that are 20 or 30 years old that aren't current but were my College books - they have no use at all in the modern world - they aren't going to get read or used by anyone most of all me. They too will soon see a new use as a fuel source or they can head off to a recycling bin.
So - where am I going with all of this? Heaven knows! Goodnight....
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Weekends Are Hard
Coffee with Flocky - bless him - sort of sixth sense and knows that weekends are difficult. They are difficult because Mrs. F. and I are in the house together it certainly is difficult as we tend to fall over each other trying to be helpful and trying to be nice. Mrs. F. looks sad and there's a 'miserable' atmosphere in the house. I try my best to lighten the atmosphere but it isn't helping and making light and being in a good sense of humour obviously doesn't cut it if you are feeling as upset and depressed as Mrs. F. is.
I can see what he meant and bless him, Flocky's had a lot of this much longer than I have. I wont miss this at all, not one bit, but to me it isn't unusual as it has often been heavily oppressive in this house. I am looking forward to moving out so that I can actually do something with myself at the weekends and in the evenings. Reading a book, listening to some music, going out, like this morning for a coffee or a lunchtime beer. Going for a walk etc etc. In some ways I feel obliged to show that 'I'm suffering too' at the moment but when I'm out of sight and out of mind I feel it will be OK to allow myself to rebuild my life away from any disapproving gaze.
I hope that getting away from here will also allow Mrs. F. to get some time to get over the shock and to start to rebuild too. I think the way she was speaking the other day perhaps the reality of selling the house - as she doesn't want to stay here - is beginning to sink in. As I said though, we don't need to rush into a decision we can get on and decide later.
An afternoon of sport, last F1 of the season and Rugby Union and League on and later Snooker so I can happily stay engrossed in TV for the rest of the day and keep out of the way. :-)
I can see what he meant and bless him, Flocky's had a lot of this much longer than I have. I wont miss this at all, not one bit, but to me it isn't unusual as it has often been heavily oppressive in this house. I am looking forward to moving out so that I can actually do something with myself at the weekends and in the evenings. Reading a book, listening to some music, going out, like this morning for a coffee or a lunchtime beer. Going for a walk etc etc. In some ways I feel obliged to show that 'I'm suffering too' at the moment but when I'm out of sight and out of mind I feel it will be OK to allow myself to rebuild my life away from any disapproving gaze.
I hope that getting away from here will also allow Mrs. F. to get some time to get over the shock and to start to rebuild too. I think the way she was speaking the other day perhaps the reality of selling the house - as she doesn't want to stay here - is beginning to sink in. As I said though, we don't need to rush into a decision we can get on and decide later.
An afternoon of sport, last F1 of the season and Rugby Union and League on and later Snooker so I can happily stay engrossed in TV for the rest of the day and keep out of the way. :-)
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