And after all is said and done ..................

Well .. that's the Bank Hols over with and my plan to work hard over it simply didn't materialise .. In fact, I've spent a fair chunk of it simply recovering !

All was good ... until Saturday night when I went to a neighbour's Wedding Reception in the evening with some friends. It was a strange one really ... even though we weren't late .. it felt like the end of a party ALL night ... The evening started with a quick beer in town followed by a couple of bottles of ok-ish real ale ... bit strong though ... but then I made the (un)wise decision to hit the whisky .. which I did all night and then went, with a friend, to a bar in town until 2 or 3 am .. and for the first time in absolutely ages, I simply can't remember coming home ... !!! I did wake up at 8am on the sofa and went to bed where I stayed until early afternoon ... so most of that day and the following were spent feeling a bit grog.

Last night though, I was starting to feel better and went to the Mayfair again (yum !) ... Took it pretty easy with the wine/beer/whisky though and went to bed about 1am .. only to wake up again at 5am .. and that was that .. I couldn't get back to sleep so I started work at about 6.30am and have actually stuck at it pretty solid for most of the day .. though I'm about to have a tea break now .. Also need to ring the shop at Taplow Court to get some Buddhist books for the stall we're having at the Green Festival in the Arboretum this coming Sunday ... got my head burnt bad last time ... probably get it wet this !!

Ug !

Very Quickly

As I have to get ready to go to a wedding reception now ... first one I think I've been to in probably 15 years .. it's bizarre really .. All my friend both male and female never seem to get married .. maybe I'm a bad influence lol. This one is a neighbour though but could be a decent night ... watch da blog tomorrow !

SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement for May 27
Forward! Always forward! This is a basic spirit of Buddhism. Nichiren Daishonin's teaching is the Buddhism of true cause. We live with our gaze fixed on the future, not hung up on the past. To advance eternally-this is the essence of life and the essence of what it means to be a practitioner of the Daishonin's Buddhism.

Yesterday was a surprise

Because it was actually fairly warm and Sunny ... but pissing it down again today .. great huh !

Started to write again yesterday for the first time in ages. I've been asking people on a web designers forum to post some pics and then writing a short story inspired by them. Just need to type it up now and maybe set up a new blog for it .. or maybe even create a 'proper' site ... haven't decided yet.

Had to smile this morning .. Read the Guidance for today which says:

In Buddhism, we either win or lose-there is no middle ground. Now and in the future, let us advance, determined to win in every sphere of our lives. By winning in our lives, we are advancing kosen-rufu; and by advancing kosen-rufu, we win in our lives.

But then I opened up the new issue of the Art of Living (monthly Buddhist Mag) which came this morning and saw the following cartoon .. which is soooo me :-)





















Ok .. I've typed up the short story now and have posted it below. I've already done a paragraph for part 2 so it looks like it might be an ongoing one ... watch this space :-)

............................................................................

Kate (pt 1)

Kate looked at the kitchen clock again. It certainly wasn’t unusual for him to be late. The first ten years or so of their marriage had been more or less what she had hoped for; loving, secure and with a sense of order. But, since Paul had decided to give up his job as a stockbroker and get out of the rat race, things hadn’t been the same for her. Sure, she had supported his decision, partly as she could see that the stress of work was beginning to affect his health, but also, she was, after all, his wife wasn’t she!

Initially, she had been happy to move from their London home with all the noise and social problems that city life brings and she had instantly fallen in love with the beautiful cottage in this rural part of Cornwall and loved the proximity of the sea and the fresh air it offered.

She looked at the clock again. This wasn’t like him she thought. It wasn’t unusual for him to be late. Since their move, he had certainly become more relaxed about his time keeping and she was happy to go along with that to an extent, but he was never late on the nights that they drove to Newquay to visit their favourite restaurant.

She put on her coat. The sea mist was starting to roll in as she locked the door behind her and started to walk to the Quay side. She figured that his Parish Council meeting must have finished by now, and, on kissing her goodbye when he left, he had said that he might go to the Quay to do a spot of fishing, something he had begun to spend more and more time doing.

The walk seemed particularly lonely this evening; it was far from unusual not to see anyone on this narrow pathway. Occasionally, maybe a couple of ramblers, but the locals were more likely to drive into the town.

As she approached his usual spot, she could see his tackle box on the edge of the Quay. Increasing her pace, her heart beating faster. Only in her wildest fears had she not expected him to be here. With an air of panic, she looked around, hoping perhaps, that he might be behind her trying to surprise her, or maybe there was a pub or a shop nearby where he might have gone. Yes, perhaps that was it – maybe he had gone for a quick pint and was on his way home right now with his catch. She fumbled in her pocket for her mobile phone and rang home but there was no reply .. and no local pub or shop either!

An uneasy calm washed over her as she sat on the damp quayside, her legs dangling as she looked out to sea, the waves lapping softly against the Quay walls, as, with an air of resignation, she took out her mobile again and dialled the number of the local Coast Guard.

Oooh look at me

Bit bleary this morning though I didn't drink much at all really though I did stay up watching TV in the early hours. NIce to see Sarah again after such a while .. even if it was kiwi kiwi kiwi and Nottingham's 'orrible ... expected that though.

Went to the pool today but it's been closed for nearly a week as they mixed some chemicals and a few people ended up on hospital so they're waiting for clearance from Health and Safety to re-open .. Had a to go in the gym and pump a few weights instead .. and look what happened !!!

Work work work work DRINK !!!

Woke up quite perky this morning .. sun streaming in the window and all is well with the world .... for an hour .. then it rained !

Basically a work day as I've got a lot on .. Even my afternoon coffee break involved a work meeting .... Anyway .. going out very soon for a beer so that will be nice and relaxing .. eveni if I do have to listen to Sarah moaning about how shit this country is compared to New Zealand where she's been for the last several months .. Oh well .. it will be fun annoying her about it :-)

Here's an old pic of her .. drunk .... again :-) .. Oh .. and she does have 2 arms lol

I will survive ....... won't I ????

In somewhat grumpy mode this morning .. just wasn't tired last night so stayed up late then went to bed even though I didn't want to .. took ages to fall asleep and then woke early this morning .. grrrrrrr

Thought I'd best post now anyway as I'm heading out for a swim .. slightly apprehensive as there has been a big turnover in staff. Now that wouldn't bother ne normally at all, but having read in the local paper that not long after I had left on Friday, they had to evacuate the building because one of the employees had mixed Chlorine and Acid together and a few people had to be taken to hospital with breathing problems from the fumes !!! Not getting in the pool unless there are others in there with their skin still on :O

when is summer anyone ?

more shitty rain this morning and once more, no bleedin cricket again .. only a one dayer today but would be nice to actually see a full day !

Had a bit of a lie in anyway this morning and am going to try to do more chanting today and catch up on a bit of work and a few other small jobs that I need to sort .. then maybe take an easy day in the week if we get any nice weather !

drizzle bloody drizzle

And after a few days break .. I'm back !

Not a lot to report really ... Have been trying to get to the cricket but the weather has been a real pain and it's now a dead cert to end in a draw and just really now whether Notts can get a few more bonus points .. doesn't really seem like the season has started. Mind you .. doesn't really seem that Summer has either !!

Had a pretty good Buddhist meeting on the Wednesday which I thought kept fairly focussed which is good as sometimes they go all over the place depending on who's there etc.

Went to Arnold on Thursday for the last in the Jazz Steps series. Have to say I was a bit dissapointed as it was Pinski Zoo with Jan Kopinski, a local guy, who I've seen a number of times before and enjoyed. He's at his best when he plays the bleaker Eastern European type numbers but unfortunately his current line up seems to be a bit funk oriented and was, in all honesty, a bit loose. Still .. I did at least get confirmation that I'll be doing the new Jazz Steps Web site.























And so to Saturday .. and yet more rain .... hope to pop to the cricket for a couple of hours this afternoon but not looking great .. will keep you posted :-)

will it - won't it ?

No postings again yesterday .. just a busy yet unexciting day. Work does really seem to be taking off at the moment though which is good .. probably the busiest I've been since I first went self employed a few years ago.

Have been monitoring the weather forecasts over the last few days as there's a 4 day match starting today. The forecast has generally been good .... until this morning ! Having said that, there are 2 forecasts on the BBC site for Nottingham, one on the news page and one on the cricket page .. and they're both different ! Shows what they know I guess.

Anyway .. plan for today is to get on with some work, grab a very quick swim then head down to the cricket for the afternoon session if the weather holds out ... fingers crossed eh !

SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement for May 17
"Don't be dependent on anyone"-this is my sentiment. We each have to strengthen and develop ourselves through our own efforts. We must never surrender to any foe or difficulty. We must be fearless. This is the true spirit of self-reliance.

Later >>

Well .. managed the work and swim bit so headed down to Trent Bridge for some cricket though I had to leave early anyway to get to our Buddhist Discussion Meeting. However, as soon as i got in the ground, it started to rain very lightly then my phone rang .. was a work call so I dealt with that then looked up to see them walking off the field ... and they didn't come back .. only saw 1 ball bowled .. looks like another drawer at best given the forecast ... gonna struggle to stay up at this rate ... when is summer ????

Back to life

After a day or pretty much lying horizontal and watching anything and everything I had taped from TV over the last few days. Long time since I felt so tired .. definitely my old age .. oh ... and alcohol too :-)

Slow start to the day today but got a few things done and had a swim so slowly getting back to normal.

There ... that was exciting wasn't it ;-)

The morning after the night before

And there's a strange man in my room !! No .. don't worry .. it's only Alan who was so drunk last night I thought I should take responsibility for not letting him get in his car after the Party .. Mind you, he got in a taxi with me to my flat thinking that he'd left the car at mine which he hadn't .. it was in town ... which probably proves the point that he shouldn't have driven !) ... Anyway ... Apart from feeling a bit jaded, I feel fine today though Alan seemed to be suffering ... cause and effect .. serves him right lol.

Good party though quite relaxed and not too many there so that was quite nice ... bit of a late finish though .. ending up with the usual drunken philosophical debates ..... probably counteract the banal rubbish I'll watch on TV today anyway.

Cup Final

After such lovely weather the clouds are back and it's persisting it down out side right now .. BUT in some ways I'm happy about that. The sun is fantastic but I always want to be outside when that happens and today is FA Cup Final day. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not the football supporter that I used to be, though I spent many a year on the terraces back in the days when they were a poor non league side though I have fond memories of characters like Billy 'barrel chested' Howells and John Flanagan,













Of course, these days I'm more of a cricket fan but I still like to watch the odd game and both Liverpool and West Ham are attractive sides, so the plan is to do a bit of tidying etc then sit down to the match with a big veggie fry up ... Also have a party this evening at another Buddhists though I suspect it will be fairly sedate .. maybe no bad thing at my age :-)

SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement for May 13
During our dialogue, Dr. Arnold Toynbee at one point told me that his motto was Laboremus, Latin for, "Let's get to work!" Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism focuses on the present and future; it is infused with the spirit, "Let's get started!" We practice for the sake of the present and future. It is important not to become trapped in the past; we have to put it behind us. The Buddhism of true cause is always based on the present moment; it is always "from this moment on."

And ... WOW ... what a great cup final ... so rare to see a half decent one and that was just amazing ... shame West Ham didn't win but a great game all the same .... right dashing now as it went to Extra Time and I have to get ready.

I wanna dub you

Dub you always ,......

Why on earth, on returning from the pub have i got the urge to listen to Dub Reggae ... and no .. not into wacky baccy so that's no excuse ! Maybe it's nostalgia for the old ad lib club (now the Lizard lounge) .... It used to be a weird (for a lincolnshire yokel) to be a minority down there but the music was great .. especially remember Joe Gibbs and the professionals but can't find his stuff online ... found some eek a mouse but sadly now sounds like crazy frog on dope so not a good recommendation !!

Oooooh and now I've found one of my all time faves .. Janet Kay's 'Silly Games' .. good sport hitting that high note when drunk (nearly ;-)

And in the morning ...>>>>

Mmmm shouldn't have stayed up so late trying to find some good old dub on the web .. feeling a bit groggy and tired so I think today's just going to be a 'do what's necessary' day ... Will probably take most of the afternoon off and spend some time in the sun as it looks like it's gonna rain for several days after today so I may as well work a bit at the weekend to catch up.

Funnily enough .. the Buddhist Guidance for today is very appropriate ... though I guess I'm unlikely to act on it today ... oh well .. Manyana :-)

SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement for May 12
I want you to understand the subtle workings of the mind. How you orient your mind, the kind of attitude you take, greatly influences both you yourself and your environment. The Buddhist principle of a single life-moment encompassing 3,000 realms completely elucidates the true aspect of life's inner workings. Through the power of strong inner resolve, we can transform ourselves, those around us and the land in which we live.

"Did you miss me ?

While I was away ... did you hang my picture on your wall" ... oops .. poss Gary Glitter lyrics aren't the best thing to post eh !!

No postings yesterday .. largely aws I was really busy but nothing much happened anyway .. well .. appart from the pool being out of action for the 5th time in 2 weeks ... hope they sort soon. Decided to do something though and spent some time in the gym .. aching a bit today ... but not too bad.

Buddhist meeting last night which went quite well .. about the right number there too for a decent meeting.

More soon .... maybe >>>

Wot .. no Wet ?????

Nice to walk into a reasonably orderly front room this morning after spending about 4 hours sorting, filing and throwing stuff out yesterday afternoon.

Started the day slowly today with a buffy episode (as always) then got on with some work as I'm pretty busy right now. Had intended to go for a swim at lunch but yet again, the Pool's out of action .. that's 4 times in just over a week .. they need to sort that soon .... Hopefully working later today so I'll get on with some work now and then try again later ...

Sneezy and Grumpy

SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement for May 7 Many things happen in life. There are joyous days and times of suffering. Sometimes unpleasant things occur. But that's what makes life so interesting. The dramas we encounter are part and parcel of being human. If we experienced no change or drama in our lives, if nothing unexpected ever happened, we would merely be like automatons, our lives unbearably monotonous and dull. Therefore, please develop a strong self so that you can enact the drama of your life with confidence and poise in the face of whatever vicissitudes you may encounter.

Woke this morning feeling like I'd only slept a few hours but had managed about 8 1/2 .. just feel groggy for some reason. Had a cuppa while watching Buffy (soon gonna have to order series 4!) .. then went to Kosen Rufu Buddhist Meeting. Only 4 of us there but maybe because I felt so groggy and have started sneezing and stuff though don't think it's a proper cold, it actually seemed a really good one to me .. I sometimes find it helps to be a bit 'thick headed' when I chant for longer periods as my mind stays more focussed and doesn't wander all over the place. Just got back now and I'm going to have a big throw out today and generally tidy and sort things out as the flat's looking more like an office at the moment .. but first .. a big veggie fry up.

can they do it ?

No .. pure and simple .... after a disastrous day of batting with only Alleyne and Ealham giving any hope of victory by hanging on until the end. Unfortunately Ealham fell fairly quickly in the morning followed even quicker by Paul Franks ... Decided not worth going down as it looked like an easy victory for Warwickshire, but some great tail end batting by Swann and Sidebottom actually put Notts in with a very small chance of even winning the match so I decide to head down to Trent Bridge .... I arrived to watch 5 balls being bowled before Notts were out .. not really worth it.

Headed to town and met Simon who was meeting Tanya .. another blogger and Buddhist, so had a coffee in Nero with them before heading off to good and M&S for a lazy ready meal for the evening ..... Also saw Charmain who works there looking VERY hungover ... AGAIN lol.





















Lazy evening ahead watching TV hopefully .. probably should have read the 'thought for today' though first:

SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement for May 6
We have both a weak self and a strong self; the two are completely different. If we allow our weak side to dominate, we will be defeated. The thought ,"I am still young and have a lot of time, so I can relax and take life easy" is a function of our own weakness.

Red Head

No .. not some cute Willow look alike but my head .. ! Did wear a hat and slapped some cream on but it's gone a nice shade of red .. well more pink really .. not too bad though.













Didn't get back from the cricket until nearly 7.45 last night so skipped the Buddhist meeting .. got 3 in 4 days coming up anyway soon so not bothered about that.

Seem to have got a fair bit of work lined up now so that will keep the money rolling in .. will need to get on though or I'll fall behind. Have decided not to go to cricket until mid afternoon .. just for a couple of hours ... largely as it's a nice day .. but Notts have now taken some more wickets and looks like Warwickshire will end up with a 350 or 375 lead .. which is a good lead though could be beaten ... best scenario though is that Notts bat the day out cautiously and hope that the promised rain materialises tomorrow and they get a thoroughly undeserved draw !

A Bit Fishy

Early rising again ... think I must be going down with something ... or maybe it was the lack of decent nutrition last night ... as when I get home I realised I had virtually nothing in to eat .. so my evening meal consisted of fish finger sandwiches and a magnum ice cream ... yummy but !!!

Similar plan to yesterday really .. quick morning gongyo (buddhist chanting) then work .. will squeeze a quick swim in then head down to cricket in the afternoon .. apparently it's going to be 70 degrees ... wahay :-)










Well .. at least had a good swim today and the pool was working .. been out twice this week !!

Was looking forward to the cricket this afternoon but after bowling Warwickshire out for 248 Notts have collapsed and at lunch are 62 for 6 .. so not good .... Only real positive is that the weather is great and I've got a paper to sit and read in the sun ... could be a relegation battle this year !

quickie

Woke early and had intended to start real early too as I'm hoping to go to cricket in the afternoon and think I'm meeting Charmain for coffee beforehand. But somehow .. I just can't get going in the morning until I've had a cuppa in bed and therefore inevitably an episode of Buffy :-)

Anyway ... short today as I do need to get going ... more later

and later >>>>

Well ... Summer seems finally to be here .. lovely sunshine but unfortunately slightly dull cricket though with Notts being in a good position. They took 4 wickets in the morning and one just after lunch .. and then !!!! I arrived and they took 2 more wickets in the next 2 hours (and I was in the loo for one of those !). Anyway .. ended up with just one wicket to take with Warwickshire on 248 so looking reasonably good .. have to see what tomorrow brings.















Actually had to put some sun cream on too and it's likely to be hotter tomorrow ... Think I might need some new cream .. I smell like yoghurt ! .. Lazy evening beckons ... maybe a bit of work first though.

Bleary and Dreary

Mmm feeling a bit on the groggy side this morning after the Mayfair visit last night. We didn't have our usual friend with us to hoover up the remnants and we also ordered too much so the food was great as ever but felt pretty bloody bloated after it.

Popped in the Lincolnshire Poacher afterwards but could barely get a pint down me before I had to go on to the Whisky (any excuse !). Tried an interesting
Welsh Whisky which, to my surprise was really nice (though it did smell of wet sheep .. sorry :-)

Bit of a slow start as I needed to come round slowly (and watch a Buffy episode). Hoping to crack on today though as cricket starts tomorrow so I'd like to see as much of that as I can.

Banked Holiday

Bit of a none day yesterday really ... well, after the Buddhist meeting anyway .... Found a quite interesting Sociology paper on the SGI in Italy which you can download HERE if you want to.

Woke up reasonably early today despite the fact that I hadn't set the alarm as the weather forecast was crap for today so I figured that I wouldn't rush round getting ready for the cricket today. It's only a one day C&G match against Scotland which we 'should' win easily. Bit surprised to find that they started on time as it's been raining a fair bit this morning, but as I will have to leave early anyway to get to the Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmayfair this evening, I thought I;d just drop in on it for a few hours a bit later. I made a decision this year that I needed to miss a bit more cricket .. probably just catch afternoons, as I need to work more this year instead of just scraping by.

After a good morning gongyo, I tried to get my mobile sorted as it refuses to take photos but it's broken ... got to get a new one ... more figuring out of technology !

Got to Trent Bridge in time to catch the last few overs of Scotland's innings .. all out for 192. Notts got off to a good start then lost Russel Warren's wicket quite early but easily caught Scotland up with great batting by the new lads .. Will Smith 95 not out and Samit Patel 94 not out ... pleased they did well .. time some new blood was brought in. Eventually got to 193 for 1 with 10 overs to spare .. pretty easy match !

Anyway .. need to get ready ... Mayfair beckons !