Approximately 4500 people gathered together for one sole purpose. The Liverpool half-marathon. Weeks and weeks of training boiled down to the next few hours. Pushing the human body through higher and higher levels of exhustion. Sweat, stress and fatigue. Waking early every morning for a quick half hour sprint took an impressive amount of will power and determination.
For most people, the run lasted around 2hrs and it was just under 2 hours into it when Dave and Jean approached the finish line at Sefton Park.
They hadn't run the race, oh gosh, no. Dave was tired just watching. No, they were on the otherside of the fence, in the crowd, awaiting the arrival of Tony, who had run. He finished 3 minutes before his 2 hour goal and looked like he was about to die. He seemed to have lost around 3 stone during the race, his previous nickname of "Big" no longer applicable.
Dave was enormously impressed.
Later that day, Dave saw even more impressive people. The Chinese State Circus was in town.
'Wow'
How can someone climb up a 20 ft, vertical, smooth pole, in less than two seconds without even using his feet?
There was spinning and climbing and balancing and jumping and fighting and cute lions and impressive dragons and bendy girls.
A blur of images, most of which should be impossible.
How long and hard must a person train to achieve such heights (both liturally and figuratively speaking)?
'Wow'
With renewed determination, Dave went home and was straight back into his press-ups.
"...20....21.... aaaaaah"
*THUD.*
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Monday, March 20, 2006
It's all Greek to me.
"So... what do you recomend?" Dave was asked, for the seventh time that minute.
"I really don't know," he replied, trying to keep his cool.
What was so hard to understand? Dave was half Greek and his dad was the Greek Chef who cooked at THIS Greek restaurant. Why would people imediately assume from this that Dave might know which food was best? Truth was, he'd probably eaten less Greek food in his life than anyone else at the table. He probably spoke less Greek too.
"So... what do you suggest?"
'AAH!'
In the end they ordered the banquet, after which the food just kept coming and coming. It was endless and nice, a delightful combination. Half-way through, Macca turned to Dave and said, "Tell your dad he's beaten me, I can't finish any more." The others gave in one by one after that, each very satisfactorily stuffed.
Suddenly Aline started shouting and bouncing around excitedly. There was Dave's daddy, off to the toilet. 'Drat,' thougth Dave. He had planned to ask to see the chef at the end of the meal, without anyone knowing his true identity, bwahahaha. Even the table had been booked under the name Mr Mathews. 'Oh well, better early than never.'
Dave's daddy was happy to see his "cheeky monkey", but it seemed Dave's dad's boss was even happier. "You look just like your dad!! Everyone come see!! Little Vasili!!!" The rest of his father's work mate's gave him a look of absolute "so?", except one kind waitress who asked innocently, "Is he your grandfather?"
And yet he wasn't excited enough to offer a discount.
After the meal came the Greek dancing and belly dancing. Smashing plates and setting fire to things, the Greek's are truly cultured. Dave couldn't be sure if the boss had had a private word or if it was just coincedence, but it turned out that Dave's table was picked to all get up and dance, with Khany going to the extreme and wearing pretty much full belly dancing suit. Twas highly entertaining, even if Dave's father refused to join in. Still, it was great to see him.
A wonderful meal, a wonderful dance, a wonderful night.
"..but the chicken was a little dry, dad."
"I really don't know," he replied, trying to keep his cool.
What was so hard to understand? Dave was half Greek and his dad was the Greek Chef who cooked at THIS Greek restaurant. Why would people imediately assume from this that Dave might know which food was best? Truth was, he'd probably eaten less Greek food in his life than anyone else at the table. He probably spoke less Greek too.
"So... what do you suggest?"
'AAH!'
In the end they ordered the banquet, after which the food just kept coming and coming. It was endless and nice, a delightful combination. Half-way through, Macca turned to Dave and said, "Tell your dad he's beaten me, I can't finish any more." The others gave in one by one after that, each very satisfactorily stuffed.
Suddenly Aline started shouting and bouncing around excitedly. There was Dave's daddy, off to the toilet. 'Drat,' thougth Dave. He had planned to ask to see the chef at the end of the meal, without anyone knowing his true identity, bwahahaha. Even the table had been booked under the name Mr Mathews. 'Oh well, better early than never.'
Dave's daddy was happy to see his "cheeky monkey", but it seemed Dave's dad's boss was even happier. "You look just like your dad!! Everyone come see!! Little Vasili!!!" The rest of his father's work mate's gave him a look of absolute "so?", except one kind waitress who asked innocently, "Is he your grandfather?"
And yet he wasn't excited enough to offer a discount.
After the meal came the Greek dancing and belly dancing. Smashing plates and setting fire to things, the Greek's are truly cultured. Dave couldn't be sure if the boss had had a private word or if it was just coincedence, but it turned out that Dave's table was picked to all get up and dance, with Khany going to the extreme and wearing pretty much full belly dancing suit. Twas highly entertaining, even if Dave's father refused to join in. Still, it was great to see him.
A wonderful meal, a wonderful dance, a wonderful night.
"..but the chicken was a little dry, dad."
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Spring
Early March, Spring was just around the corner and since Dave was still doing his door to door job for the Echo, were warm weather is unbelivably helpful, that could only mean one thing.
Snow. Lots and lots of snow.
The snow left Dave with a mixture of feeling, fear of sliding flat on his face in front of potential customers, concern that such heavy snow at this time of year was early signs of the horrors Global Warming would produce and finally a sense of "oooh snow... pretty...." It was a magical time of year, when small children could create and then brutally murder inocent snowchildren.
Another symptom of Early March was Lent. Dave and his friends, a few days late, sat around and made some vows. Shell, who lacked imagination, went for giving up chocolate, again. Isadrunk decided to not talk about horroscopes. This of cause then became the center of the disscusion, everyone talking about various horroscopes and getting it all wrong while Isadrunk turned blue holding her breath. After a while, Jean had given up playing Spider Solitaire, a serious addiction of hers, and Dave had sworn to do 50 press-ups a day.
On returning home that evening, Dave dropped to the floor and got right into it.
"11.... 12..... aaahhh.... " said Dave, as he collasped, "50 comes right after 12 right?"
Jean didn't hear him. She was busy playing Spider Solitaire.
Snow. Lots and lots of snow.
The snow left Dave with a mixture of feeling, fear of sliding flat on his face in front of potential customers, concern that such heavy snow at this time of year was early signs of the horrors Global Warming would produce and finally a sense of "oooh snow... pretty...." It was a magical time of year, when small children could create and then brutally murder inocent snowchildren.
Another symptom of Early March was Lent. Dave and his friends, a few days late, sat around and made some vows. Shell, who lacked imagination, went for giving up chocolate, again. Isadrunk decided to not talk about horroscopes. This of cause then became the center of the disscusion, everyone talking about various horroscopes and getting it all wrong while Isadrunk turned blue holding her breath. After a while, Jean had given up playing Spider Solitaire, a serious addiction of hers, and Dave had sworn to do 50 press-ups a day.
On returning home that evening, Dave dropped to the floor and got right into it.
"11.... 12..... aaahhh.... " said Dave, as he collasped, "50 comes right after 12 right?"
Jean didn't hear him. She was busy playing Spider Solitaire.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Jos' 21st
Still February and Dave was celebrating another birthday. Why did the smallest month of the year contain the most getting old days? Twas a puzzle.
Saturday 25th Feb saw Dave and Jean at Jos' 21st birthday party, in the middle of no where, miles away from cilvilization. It was a kareoke party, or a 'Terryoke' party as the guy in charge of it had called it. Dave assumed his name must be George.
The fact that Dave had once earned the title 'Kareoke Dave' for singing kareoke several times a week made people kind of expect a performance. This was worrying.
"Why are you nervous? Just get up and sing a song!" said Jean, repeatedly.
Well, he was nervous for several reasons.
1) The vast majority of the audience were Christian. This meant the choice of song had to be carefully screened so as not to offend. Such songs as "Losing my Religion" and "Like a Prayer" may not have gone down well. Even "Imagine" would have coursed Dave to choke when it came to "Imagine there's no heaven...".
2) Dave usually didn't care what random people thought of him. However the people in this room were not random. They were people he saw quite frequently in church. More importantly, they were people whose opinion seemed to matter a great deal to Jean. He could not joke around and do something stupid up there, he had to actually sing. He didn't know for certain if he could sing, he had always got pretty mixed feedback.
3) The last time he had been up in front of these people he had choked, he had said "Hi..." and then stared at them blankly for 20 minutes. They would ALL be watching him this time.
4) Jean believed he could sing. She had never seen him do kareoke before, but she believed in him.
5) He hadn't actually done kareoke by himself before, he had always had someone else as a safety net. Except one time, when he sung Barbie girl, though that was obviously a joke and could not have been taken otherwise.
"Why are you nervous? Just get up and sing a song!" said Jean, repeatedly.
"OK."
When Dave finally took centre stage his prediction had been spot on. The entire room fell silent before the song had began to play. All eyes were indeed on him. 'Gulp' sprang to mind. The song began suddenly, he missed the first few words. Then he began.
Can you Feel the Love tonight, Elton John.
The room disapeared, he had eyes only for Jean. He sung his heart out. He was starting to feel pretty good. It was going unbelieveably well.
When the song finished he returned to his wife's side.
"Yeah, I could tell you were nervous, you didn't do very well."
Dang.
Saturday 25th Feb saw Dave and Jean at Jos' 21st birthday party, in the middle of no where, miles away from cilvilization. It was a kareoke party, or a 'Terryoke' party as the guy in charge of it had called it. Dave assumed his name must be George.
The fact that Dave had once earned the title 'Kareoke Dave' for singing kareoke several times a week made people kind of expect a performance. This was worrying.
"Why are you nervous? Just get up and sing a song!" said Jean, repeatedly.
Well, he was nervous for several reasons.
1) The vast majority of the audience were Christian. This meant the choice of song had to be carefully screened so as not to offend. Such songs as "Losing my Religion" and "Like a Prayer" may not have gone down well. Even "Imagine" would have coursed Dave to choke when it came to "Imagine there's no heaven...".
2) Dave usually didn't care what random people thought of him. However the people in this room were not random. They were people he saw quite frequently in church. More importantly, they were people whose opinion seemed to matter a great deal to Jean. He could not joke around and do something stupid up there, he had to actually sing. He didn't know for certain if he could sing, he had always got pretty mixed feedback.
3) The last time he had been up in front of these people he had choked, he had said "Hi..." and then stared at them blankly for 20 minutes. They would ALL be watching him this time.
4) Jean believed he could sing. She had never seen him do kareoke before, but she believed in him.
5) He hadn't actually done kareoke by himself before, he had always had someone else as a safety net. Except one time, when he sung Barbie girl, though that was obviously a joke and could not have been taken otherwise.
"Why are you nervous? Just get up and sing a song!" said Jean, repeatedly.
"OK."
When Dave finally took centre stage his prediction had been spot on. The entire room fell silent before the song had began to play. All eyes were indeed on him. 'Gulp' sprang to mind. The song began suddenly, he missed the first few words. Then he began.
Can you Feel the Love tonight, Elton John.
The room disapeared, he had eyes only for Jean. He sung his heart out. He was starting to feel pretty good. It was going unbelieveably well.
When the song finished he returned to his wife's side.
"Yeah, I could tell you were nervous, you didn't do very well."
Dang.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Mother Hen's 25th
Friday 24th February Dave's dear sweet mother turned 25. How she was 25 with a 28 year old son was a puzzle, but if she said she was 25 who was Dave to argue?
The day began with Dave sitting around in his musty old office twiddling his thumbs, whilst working out staggering new discoveries in the frontier of statistics. Same old, same old.
Around 3pm he grew weary and decided it was time to call it a day. On his way out he checked his mailbox. There lay a single little letter. It was a very nice letter.
It was a long overdue check for 1500.
Next stop, bank.
On his way back from the bank he was rewarded with yet another great surprise. They were giving away free goody bags from 3! Hurrah! This day just got better and better and with a visit to his mum's and a night out still to come what could possibly go wrong?
He had to ask.
After the 45 min trip to his mother's home he discovered it was empty. His parents had gone to Southport and failed to mention it. Considering they had asked him to come over in the first place, Dave was not amused. With his spirits damped, he went straight onto the night out stage and met some friends for a meal.
The night out did not go to plan. Two many people apparently spoiled the broth as everyone argued amongst themselves as to where best to go. Still, Dave made the best of a bad situation and enjoyed seeing all his brothers in the same place for the first time in a long time. You win some, you lose some.
Happy Birthday Mum.
The day began with Dave sitting around in his musty old office twiddling his thumbs, whilst working out staggering new discoveries in the frontier of statistics. Same old, same old.
Around 3pm he grew weary and decided it was time to call it a day. On his way out he checked his mailbox. There lay a single little letter. It was a very nice letter.
It was a long overdue check for 1500.
Next stop, bank.
On his way back from the bank he was rewarded with yet another great surprise. They were giving away free goody bags from 3! Hurrah! This day just got better and better and with a visit to his mum's and a night out still to come what could possibly go wrong?
He had to ask.
After the 45 min trip to his mother's home he discovered it was empty. His parents had gone to Southport and failed to mention it. Considering they had asked him to come over in the first place, Dave was not amused. With his spirits damped, he went straight onto the night out stage and met some friends for a meal.
The night out did not go to plan. Two many people apparently spoiled the broth as everyone argued amongst themselves as to where best to go. Still, Dave made the best of a bad situation and enjoyed seeing all his brothers in the same place for the first time in a long time. You win some, you lose some.
Happy Birthday Mum.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Mr Cheese's 23rd
The day after Valentines, the too Cheesy Cheescake going stale in the fridge, was Mr Cheese's birthday. Birthdays were suppose to be happy events, this one didn't quite fit the bill.
Jenny's Grandfather had passed away.
Dave found this out just after he had started to nag his brother into going out, having fun and now felt about two inches tall. Maybe next week.
He had never personally known Jenny's Grandfather but he did know Jenny and that was enough. He hoped she was ok.
Later that day, he said a fond farewell to his sweetheart, she was off to visit a friend in Manchester and wouldn't be back for three days. Minutes after he left her he was missing her already.
He didn't sleep well that night, the house was all big and empty. He didn't sleep well the next night either. Then his little brother rang and asked if he wanted to go out.
Hold the phone, Pea wanted to go out?!?!
Considering Pea was usually less social than a hermit, his timing could not have been worse. He wanted to go on the day of Jenny's Grandfather's funeral, the week of Ste's birthday, without Ste and he was asking a Dave who hadn't slept in two days.
Unfortantly the answer was no.
Maybe next week.
Jenny's Grandfather had passed away.
Dave found this out just after he had started to nag his brother into going out, having fun and now felt about two inches tall. Maybe next week.
He had never personally known Jenny's Grandfather but he did know Jenny and that was enough. He hoped she was ok.
Later that day, he said a fond farewell to his sweetheart, she was off to visit a friend in Manchester and wouldn't be back for three days. Minutes after he left her he was missing her already.
He didn't sleep well that night, the house was all big and empty. He didn't sleep well the next night either. Then his little brother rang and asked if he wanted to go out.
Hold the phone, Pea wanted to go out?!?!
Considering Pea was usually less social than a hermit, his timing could not have been worse. He wanted to go on the day of Jenny's Grandfather's funeral, the week of Ste's birthday, without Ste and he was asking a Dave who hadn't slept in two days.
Unfortantly the answer was no.
Maybe next week.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Valentine's Day 2006
Dave dived from the bed. It was still early. Very early. 10 am, Jean might not be up for hours. He had time.
It was Febuary 14th 2006, Valentines Day. Jean had assured Dave on several occasions that she REALLY didn't want anything. Valentines was a stupid idea. People who are truely in love don't need to show it with such a silly special occasion. Dave had agreed whole heartedly.
Yet, to not get anything at all just because a girl says she doesn't want anything would be a rookie mistake. Dave would not be that rookie.
And so it was, at the ridiculously early time of 10:10am Dave was out the door and on a bus to the city center. He knew exactly where to go and what to buy.
Everytime Jean entered the city center Tesco her eyes wondered to the fancy dessert section. Two cheesecakes and a pair of tartes for a little under ?10. She clearly wanted them, her mouth watering, but it would always result with, "They too expensive, it's a waste of money."
?10 may be a little steep for a snack to go with your coffee, but it was excellent value for money for a gift to make someone really happy. Price is always relative. Add some seriously pretty Poundland candles and it was the food of love.
Dave rushed in and out and was on his way home in no time.
Metres away from the frontdoor, he received a text. "Happy V Day."
Perfect!
He instantly responded, "I'm soooo sorry, I completely forgot! Happy V Day to you too."
Then in he went.
Jean was thrilled. Mission acomplised.
It was Febuary 14th 2006, Valentines Day. Jean had assured Dave on several occasions that she REALLY didn't want anything. Valentines was a stupid idea. People who are truely in love don't need to show it with such a silly special occasion. Dave had agreed whole heartedly.
Yet, to not get anything at all just because a girl says she doesn't want anything would be a rookie mistake. Dave would not be that rookie.
And so it was, at the ridiculously early time of 10:10am Dave was out the door and on a bus to the city center. He knew exactly where to go and what to buy.
Everytime Jean entered the city center Tesco her eyes wondered to the fancy dessert section. Two cheesecakes and a pair of tartes for a little under ?10. She clearly wanted them, her mouth watering, but it would always result with, "They too expensive, it's a waste of money."
?10 may be a little steep for a snack to go with your coffee, but it was excellent value for money for a gift to make someone really happy. Price is always relative. Add some seriously pretty Poundland candles and it was the food of love.
Dave rushed in and out and was on his way home in no time.
Metres away from the frontdoor, he received a text. "Happy V Day."
Perfect!
He instantly responded, "I'm soooo sorry, I completely forgot! Happy V Day to you too."
Then in he went.
Jean was thrilled. Mission acomplised.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Playing with MonkeyBalls.
Having said a fond farewell to their French Philipine housemate, it was time to celebrate!
The celebration, of cause, was not for kicking out her, but for Isadrunk's 22nd Bday. The two days being one and the same was just a happy coincidence. Dave, Jean and Midleg Tiny all arrived at Isadrunk's place together and were imediately attacked by a Shell holding a camera.
"Happy Birthday"
Not much more was mentioned about the fact of what day it was. There was an X-Box 360 in the room. Monkeys. In Balls. Beating the cr&p outa each other. Ingeniously called MonkeyBall. What more could anyone ask for?
"Your surprisingly good at beating up Monkey Balls," someone said to Jean
"I've had plenty of practice."
MonkeyBall finished, it was time for the important person to take center stage. Shell. And her holiday slides. After half an hour, Macca rather quickly seemed to decide it was time to go home.
"That's my mum outside, gotta go, byeeeeee"
3,127 slides later and it was time for another round of Monkeys in Balls. When the fun finally ended, it was time to call another taxi and say another goodbye.
"Happy Birthday."
Hope you enjoyed it.
The celebration, of cause, was not for kicking out her, but for Isadrunk's 22nd Bday. The two days being one and the same was just a happy coincidence. Dave, Jean and Midleg Tiny all arrived at Isadrunk's place together and were imediately attacked by a Shell holding a camera.
"Happy Birthday"
Not much more was mentioned about the fact of what day it was. There was an X-Box 360 in the room. Monkeys. In Balls. Beating the cr&p outa each other. Ingeniously called MonkeyBall. What more could anyone ask for?
"Your surprisingly good at beating up Monkey Balls," someone said to Jean
"I've had plenty of practice."
MonkeyBall finished, it was time for the important person to take center stage. Shell. And her holiday slides. After half an hour, Macca rather quickly seemed to decide it was time to go home.
"That's my mum outside, gotta go, byeeeeee"
3,127 slides later and it was time for another round of Monkeys in Balls. When the fun finally ended, it was time to call another taxi and say another goodbye.
"Happy Birthday."
Hope you enjoyed it.
Mireille
The months had flown by. It seemed like only yesterday Dave had agreed to let a friend of a friend of a friend come to live with them and now here he was calling for the taxi that would take her back home. Or at least to the bus which would take them to the airport, a taxi from Liverpool to Paris would not have been the best of plans.
Mirelle had been a great roomate, easily the best Dave and Jean had that year. Now she was packed and ready to go. It was a shame. Dave would really miss that money. From start to finish Mirelle had not caused the slightest of bother, always friendly and smiling. Everyone who met her agreed she was kinda like a sweet little kitten.
Of cause she had her bad points too. She hadn't bought Dave a house in Paris, no matter how many times he had hinted and she was very selfishly going back to paris for her studies, family and future instead of staying in Liverpool to keep the happy couple company. Tut tut.
'Still,' thought Dave as she pushed the last of her stuff into the taxi and gave them both a farewell hug, 'at least I had the last laugh. I stole one of her cookies.'
'Bwahaha.'
"Au revoir".
Mirelle had been a great roomate, easily the best Dave and Jean had that year. Now she was packed and ready to go. It was a shame. Dave would really miss that money. From start to finish Mirelle had not caused the slightest of bother, always friendly and smiling. Everyone who met her agreed she was kinda like a sweet little kitten.
Of cause she had her bad points too. She hadn't bought Dave a house in Paris, no matter how many times he had hinted and she was very selfishly going back to paris for her studies, family and future instead of staying in Liverpool to keep the happy couple company. Tut tut.
'Still,' thought Dave as she pushed the last of her stuff into the taxi and gave them both a farewell hug, 'at least I had the last laugh. I stole one of her cookies.'
'Bwahaha.'
"Au revoir".
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Work Hard, Play Hard.
Sleep too long, study too little, work, waste the afternoon and repeat. Just days back from China and things were already starting to follow an oh too familar pattern. Something had to give. It was time for a change. It was time to get tough.
Work Hard, Play hard.
Which, of cause, began with Step 1: Play Hard.
Friday night saw Dave out on the town, in a posh little French way rather than the ever-increasingly-vulgar British way. Surrounded by a select handful of some of his closest friends, and Macca, he sat down to a delightful French meal in some forgotten corner of Liverpool. It was relaxed, joyful and fun.
Saturday morning saw Dave and his fair maiden off to the wonderous little town of Chester. Walking the old wall, along the riverside, through the strange mix of modern shops in old town buildings, seeing the Cathedral and best of all the Squirrels. How can anything be that cute?
Dave did feel a little sorry for the pigions though. A squirrel jumps from a tree and everyone thinks it's so cool. A pigion can fly and it's met mostly by indifference. What does the humble pigion have to do to earn respect?
One of the strangest things about Chester was McDonalds. Dave had been to McDonalds from Portugal to China and they all were exactly the same. It had always felt like he had magically been transported back to England whenever he had entered one. How strange then, that here in Chester, a mere hour away from the Liver Buildings, McDonalds had an entirely unique feel. The chairs, the tables, the colour scheme, all different. Unfortantly the food remained unchanged.
Saturday night and it was back to Liverpool for yet another meal with a different group of friends. Just to try something new they went for Chinese. Whilst everyone was speaking Manderin or Cantonese it felt reasuring to have the sweet little french girl on Jean's otherside mirror his look of absolute "uh?".
When the clock struck 12 it was HAPPY NEW YEAR! china time.
Sunday saw Dave and Jean out and about again. China town was putting on a show for the locals and Jean was bursting to see it.
One little dragon waved about aimlessly, surrounded by more people than Liverpool could safely hold. It was time for plan B.
Dave and Jean met up with his Big Bro Baldy and the newly appointed Mrs Baldy and dissappeared off to the Albert dock for a day of looking at tasteless tacky tourist shops. It was great. He hadn't been for so long, it was nice to see everything exactly how he had left it.
The rest of the weekend was spent chillin' on Dave's home turf. He went to see his Mother dearest and Good ole Papa.
Step 1 was coming along nicely.
Work Hard, Play hard.
Which, of cause, began with Step 1: Play Hard.
Friday night saw Dave out on the town, in a posh little French way rather than the ever-increasingly-vulgar British way. Surrounded by a select handful of some of his closest friends, and Macca, he sat down to a delightful French meal in some forgotten corner of Liverpool. It was relaxed, joyful and fun.
Saturday morning saw Dave and his fair maiden off to the wonderous little town of Chester. Walking the old wall, along the riverside, through the strange mix of modern shops in old town buildings, seeing the Cathedral and best of all the Squirrels. How can anything be that cute?
Dave did feel a little sorry for the pigions though. A squirrel jumps from a tree and everyone thinks it's so cool. A pigion can fly and it's met mostly by indifference. What does the humble pigion have to do to earn respect?
One of the strangest things about Chester was McDonalds. Dave had been to McDonalds from Portugal to China and they all were exactly the same. It had always felt like he had magically been transported back to England whenever he had entered one. How strange then, that here in Chester, a mere hour away from the Liver Buildings, McDonalds had an entirely unique feel. The chairs, the tables, the colour scheme, all different. Unfortantly the food remained unchanged.
Saturday night and it was back to Liverpool for yet another meal with a different group of friends. Just to try something new they went for Chinese. Whilst everyone was speaking Manderin or Cantonese it felt reasuring to have the sweet little french girl on Jean's otherside mirror his look of absolute "uh?".
When the clock struck 12 it was HAPPY NEW YEAR! china time.
Sunday saw Dave and Jean out and about again. China town was putting on a show for the locals and Jean was bursting to see it.
One little dragon waved about aimlessly, surrounded by more people than Liverpool could safely hold. It was time for plan B.
Dave and Jean met up with his Big Bro Baldy and the newly appointed Mrs Baldy and dissappeared off to the Albert dock for a day of looking at tasteless tacky tourist shops. It was great. He hadn't been for so long, it was nice to see everything exactly how he had left it.
The rest of the weekend was spent chillin' on Dave's home turf. He went to see his Mother dearest and Good ole Papa.
Step 1 was coming along nicely.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Home, Sweet Home
Exhausted, hungry, unhappy and quite noticebly smelly, Dave and Jean finally stumbled through their front door.
Home, Sweet Home.
It was Sunday night, Jan 15th, 2006. They would have little chance to sleep. Dave would have to be up and off to Uni to try and catch up his studies, then later it was straight back into his nightly echo role. Jean would be up even earlier for her daily treck to her employment.
That stupid job. She recieved 100 a week for 45 hours of work and another 10 hours traveling back and forth. It was because of that job that their trip had been so badly timed. China for Christmas and New Year and England for Chinese New Year. How pointless was that? It was going half-way around the world to avoid having a celebration, for three of the biggest celebrations in the world. Still, it had been the only time Jean could take off and therefore the only time they could go.
Dave shifted through the mountain of mail as Jean washed up. Jean finished just as dave came across a letter addressed to her. "Here, it's from your job."
"We are sorry to inform you..."
She'd been fired?!?! Those lowsy, good for nothing, pieces of...
Her contract had not been renewed. Before she had left they had mentioned promotion, a week later she wasn't good enough? Jean called her former employer and the news was confirmed. She was invited to come round the following day for an explanation.
The following day came, Jean did the hour journey there one last time. Her 'boss' had 'forgot' to show up. Jean packed up her desk and said a fond fairwell to the hell hole.
It felt good to have such a good old English welcome back.
It's nice to be home.
Home, Sweet Home.
It was Sunday night, Jan 15th, 2006. They would have little chance to sleep. Dave would have to be up and off to Uni to try and catch up his studies, then later it was straight back into his nightly echo role. Jean would be up even earlier for her daily treck to her employment.
That stupid job. She recieved 100 a week for 45 hours of work and another 10 hours traveling back and forth. It was because of that job that their trip had been so badly timed. China for Christmas and New Year and England for Chinese New Year. How pointless was that? It was going half-way around the world to avoid having a celebration, for three of the biggest celebrations in the world. Still, it had been the only time Jean could take off and therefore the only time they could go.
Dave shifted through the mountain of mail as Jean washed up. Jean finished just as dave came across a letter addressed to her. "Here, it's from your job."
"We are sorry to inform you..."
She'd been fired?!?! Those lowsy, good for nothing, pieces of...
Her contract had not been renewed. Before she had left they had mentioned promotion, a week later she wasn't good enough? Jean called her former employer and the news was confirmed. She was invited to come round the following day for an explanation.
The following day came, Jean did the hour journey there one last time. Her 'boss' had 'forgot' to show up. Jean packed up her desk and said a fond fairwell to the hell hole.
It felt good to have such a good old English welcome back.
It's nice to be home.
The Little Black Bag
Leaving San Ming was never easy. The luggage weighing in at a combined total of around 70kg didn't help matters much. Dave's main challange was the Little Black Bag. Alone, it weighed around 30kg. Although it had wheels, they were very misbehaving, and usually went in random directions. It was easily big enough to be awkward, but just small enough to make it uncomfortable to drag along the floor, even if the wheels worked. The overall shape was that of a big blob of mash potatoe. This would be fun.
Carried down 6 flights of stairs, thrown into a car, lifted out at the station, dragged through the station hitting every bumb, up and down ramps and stairs, lifted onto and through the train, then back off again, dragged through another station, ramps, stairs, onto a coach, off a coach, into a hotel, back out, lifted in and out of a taxi, round an airport and onto a plane.
When added to the lack of sleep during the 48hr trip, Dave was incredibly happy to finally touch down in Manchester and have it safely tucked away onto an airport trolly.
Unfortantly, this is were it made an unscheduled stop at the customs.
Lifted onto the table, opened up and emptied out.
"I'm sorry, your not allowed to bring meat in, or shellfish..."
The conversation was neither short nor sweet, but at the end of it the Little Black Bag had managed to lose 6kg in a matter of minutes. Slim fast eat your heart out.
6kg! That was almost a third of it's stupid, uncontrolable, bulky mess. Argh!!
This argh was not helped by the fact that that third had probably cost a fair bit of money and had been the highest quality stuff. Not only had he just carried that all the way to England for no good reason, but now he wouldn't have anything to eat when he got home.
He wasn't happy. Jean wasn't happy.
'I just wanna go home and sleep.'
Carried down 6 flights of stairs, thrown into a car, lifted out at the station, dragged through the station hitting every bumb, up and down ramps and stairs, lifted onto and through the train, then back off again, dragged through another station, ramps, stairs, onto a coach, off a coach, into a hotel, back out, lifted in and out of a taxi, round an airport and onto a plane.
When added to the lack of sleep during the 48hr trip, Dave was incredibly happy to finally touch down in Manchester and have it safely tucked away onto an airport trolly.
Unfortantly, this is were it made an unscheduled stop at the customs.
Lifted onto the table, opened up and emptied out.
"I'm sorry, your not allowed to bring meat in, or shellfish..."
The conversation was neither short nor sweet, but at the end of it the Little Black Bag had managed to lose 6kg in a matter of minutes. Slim fast eat your heart out.
6kg! That was almost a third of it's stupid, uncontrolable, bulky mess. Argh!!
This argh was not helped by the fact that that third had probably cost a fair bit of money and had been the highest quality stuff. Not only had he just carried that all the way to England for no good reason, but now he wouldn't have anything to eat when he got home.
He wasn't happy. Jean wasn't happy.
'I just wanna go home and sleep.'
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Bye Bye San Ming
San Ming is a lovely little town on the southern coast of China. What makes it lovely is not the buildings, the food or the endless supply of clothes shops, though these do have there charms. What makes it lovely is the sweet little smile that appeared on Jean's face whenever she was home, sweet home. There isn't a greater sight in all the world.
This being so, Dave felt like the biggest pile of horse manure the world have ever known when it came to taking Jean back to England. If it wasn't for him, what reason would she have for going back? What possible reason could there be to take that smile away from her?
The last day came and went. There was the last game of 'Ba shi fan', the early morning rush to the train station and the predicatable tears.
As Dave held his wife in the dead of night, trying his best to comfort her, he thought
'Dave, your an asshole.'
This being so, Dave felt like the biggest pile of horse manure the world have ever known when it came to taking Jean back to England. If it wasn't for him, what reason would she have for going back? What possible reason could there be to take that smile away from her?
The last day came and went. There was the last game of 'Ba shi fan', the early morning rush to the train station and the predicatable tears.
As Dave held his wife in the dead of night, trying his best to comfort her, he thought
'Dave, your an asshole.'
Seeing the Sights
China, in general, seems to be a beautiful country, with plenty of places to see. Dave had been to several. Tombs, ancient battlegrounds, giant Buddhas, temples, the Great Wall... the list goes on and on. Words can never truely grasp such places with any justice.
What words can describe was a reaccuring event which seemed to happen at every location...
Dave stared down as Jean and her mum disappeared into the distance. The road was almost vertical, not to mention slippy, how did they move so fast? There was one obvious way he could catch up, but that would hurt. Falling from great hights was not on Dave's 'to do' list.
Eventually one of them, usually Jean's mum, would turn back and offer a helping hand. Linking arms with someone who is helping you to stay upright makes one feel incredibly old and feable.
"Is this because your afraid of heights?"
"No, it's because I have less balance than a one-legged chair." 'Though being afraid of heights really doesn't help much.'
Occasionally one of Dave's feet would slip slightly. This produced an involuntary reaction of leg shaking along with freezing to the spot. It clearly looked funny, if Jean's mums giggle was anything to go by, but Dave failed to see the joke.
'I fall, I die, probably in a very painful way. Foot slipping = close to falling = funny?'
Nope, the joke was always just out of his grasp.
At the end of each such outing Dave was always thankful to be alive.
"So," he said chearfully, "Where to next?"
What words can describe was a reaccuring event which seemed to happen at every location...
Dave stared down as Jean and her mum disappeared into the distance. The road was almost vertical, not to mention slippy, how did they move so fast? There was one obvious way he could catch up, but that would hurt. Falling from great hights was not on Dave's 'to do' list.
Eventually one of them, usually Jean's mum, would turn back and offer a helping hand. Linking arms with someone who is helping you to stay upright makes one feel incredibly old and feable.
"Is this because your afraid of heights?"
"No, it's because I have less balance than a one-legged chair." 'Though being afraid of heights really doesn't help much.'
Occasionally one of Dave's feet would slip slightly. This produced an involuntary reaction of leg shaking along with freezing to the spot. It clearly looked funny, if Jean's mums giggle was anything to go by, but Dave failed to see the joke.
'I fall, I die, probably in a very painful way. Foot slipping = close to falling = funny?'
Nope, the joke was always just out of his grasp.
At the end of each such outing Dave was always thankful to be alive.
"So," he said chearfully, "Where to next?"
Happy New Year
Dave, Jean and her mum and dad sat round the little square table playing "Ba Shi Fan" (80 points). It is one of the greatest card games in the world. It puzzled Dave greatly how it had not made it to England, EVERYONE in China seemed to know how to play it (and that's ALOT of people). Of cause Poker had not made it to China. The Chinese knew the word "Poker", but had took it to mean "Card Game". Hence "Da Poker" meant "Play a card game". Basically it's a game for four people, not more than four, not less. That slightly limits it, which is it's only drawback. That and it requires two packs of cards, complete with jokers. The four people split into two teams and play against each other, working together. It's very intense.
Suddenly some fireworks went off outside, interupting the flow of play. Dave was slightly annoyed. His annoyance turned to disbelieve when Jean's mum pulled out a firework and he suddenly realised what they were for.
'It's New Year's Eve? Midnight?'
How he could have completely forgotten about it was beyond him. Time kind of ceased to have meaning when he was in China. Everyday was Saturday. No work, no responsiblity. But still, he had just missed the Big Moment.
Jean's mum wanted Dave to hold the firework while she set it alight.
'Erm... no....'
When it seemed obvious that Dave didn't want this honour (some things don't require words), she took it to the window and held it herself. Thankfully it wasn't a rocket. It shot out several balls of fire, each one accompanied by a little scared-child-scream from Jean.
It was nice. "Happy NEW YEAR!" said Dave finally.
Now, "Da Pai!" (play cards).
They had a good night.
Suddenly some fireworks went off outside, interupting the flow of play. Dave was slightly annoyed. His annoyance turned to disbelieve when Jean's mum pulled out a firework and he suddenly realised what they were for.
'It's New Year's Eve? Midnight?'
How he could have completely forgotten about it was beyond him. Time kind of ceased to have meaning when he was in China. Everyday was Saturday. No work, no responsiblity. But still, he had just missed the Big Moment.
Jean's mum wanted Dave to hold the firework while she set it alight.
'Erm... no....'
When it seemed obvious that Dave didn't want this honour (some things don't require words), she took it to the window and held it herself. Thankfully it wasn't a rocket. It shot out several balls of fire, each one accompanied by a little scared-child-scream from Jean.
It was nice. "Happy NEW YEAR!" said Dave finally.
Now, "Da Pai!" (play cards).
They had a good night.
Friday, January 20, 2006
San Ming Zoo
Dave felt great, but that was no surprise. How can anyone not feel great when they're on a trip to the zoo!
A short walk across town and up a hill and there it was. 'YAY!'
First came the birds. It reminded him very much of back home, Sefton Park, it was almost an identical layout. Bird. Bird. Bird. Bird. Bird. Leopard. Leopard? Wow! Ok, maybe not exactly the same as back home. That's a leopard, that's a real leopard. There were several of them.
"Rrrrr."
One said to Dave, in a polite I-want-to-tear-you-limb-from-limb manner.
"Rah!" shouted Jean happily back at him.
"I bet you wouldn't say that if the cage wasn't there."
Suddenly, as Dave stood staring at these magnificant cats, it appeared that someone else was staring at a very different animal. Him.
"She asked if her daughter can have her picture with you," Jean translated.
"Erm... yeah.. sure.."
This was a zoo. People took pictures of all the strange animals. Why should Dave be any different? So he stood by the little girl and let a complete stranger take a picture. A complete stranger. Dave had never felt more like a monkey. Felt good.
After the leopards and before the lions, tigers and monkeys came the camel. Big, smelly, hairy and ugly, it reminded Dave a little of himself. Jean picked up some food from the pile in front of him and fed him. He ate it up greedily.
Dave picked up some food and also tried to feed him. Nothing. Completely ignored.
Jean took the food from Dave and then the camel took it from her and ate it up greedily.
"I don't think he likes you," she laughed.
Jean's mum picked up some food and again the camel ate it up greedily.
Dave, determined, tried again. The camel ignored him. Dave kept trying. Finally the camel took it. Result. 2 seconds later the camel spat it straight back out, then he turned to Jean and ate the food she offered greedily.
"AH!"
Dave tried again, everyone was laughing, a small crowd had gathered, come see the strange looking monkey try to feed the racist camel. Again the camel took the food and spat it straight back out. Dave sighed, lowered his head and walked away defeated.
"Where are the monkeys, they'll like me." And they did.
A short walk across town and up a hill and there it was. 'YAY!'
First came the birds. It reminded him very much of back home, Sefton Park, it was almost an identical layout. Bird. Bird. Bird. Bird. Bird. Leopard. Leopard? Wow! Ok, maybe not exactly the same as back home. That's a leopard, that's a real leopard. There were several of them.
"Rrrrr."
One said to Dave, in a polite I-want-to-tear-you-limb-from-limb manner.
"Rah!" shouted Jean happily back at him.
"I bet you wouldn't say that if the cage wasn't there."
Suddenly, as Dave stood staring at these magnificant cats, it appeared that someone else was staring at a very different animal. Him.
"She asked if her daughter can have her picture with you," Jean translated.
"Erm... yeah.. sure.."
This was a zoo. People took pictures of all the strange animals. Why should Dave be any different? So he stood by the little girl and let a complete stranger take a picture. A complete stranger. Dave had never felt more like a monkey. Felt good.
After the leopards and before the lions, tigers and monkeys came the camel. Big, smelly, hairy and ugly, it reminded Dave a little of himself. Jean picked up some food from the pile in front of him and fed him. He ate it up greedily.
Dave picked up some food and also tried to feed him. Nothing. Completely ignored.
Jean took the food from Dave and then the camel took it from her and ate it up greedily.
"I don't think he likes you," she laughed.
Jean's mum picked up some food and again the camel ate it up greedily.
Dave, determined, tried again. The camel ignored him. Dave kept trying. Finally the camel took it. Result. 2 seconds later the camel spat it straight back out, then he turned to Jean and ate the food she offered greedily.
"AH!"
Dave tried again, everyone was laughing, a small crowd had gathered, come see the strange looking monkey try to feed the racist camel. Again the camel took the food and spat it straight back out. Dave sighed, lowered his head and walked away defeated.
"Where are the monkeys, they'll like me." And they did.
Christmas 2005
"Ow" said Dave.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow..."
Dave did not feel too great. Dave didn't even feel slightly great. Dave felt like his head had been stuck in a blender. He couldn't breathe all that well, he felt incredibly tired and weak and why wouldn't the room stop spinning?
He was lying alone in a hotel in Beijing. He had successfully managed to steal his wife's cold and this was his reward. The 24hr trip to get here without any kind of sleep had not helped much.
'Hmm... ' he thought, 'Merry Christmas Dave. Merry... ow.'
Yes. Today was the 25th of December 2005. Christmas had not really made it to China in any kind of big way and Dave had clearly not brought it with him.
"Argh."
Alone, in the dark, Dave lay there and thought back to last week. He remembered meeting up with his friends and family, exchanging presents and goodwill and it brought a smile to his face. That was Christmas. Not this.
The 25th is a fairly meaningless date and december a pretty meaningless month. Christmas is whenever and wherever.
But still, Dave couldn't help wanting this Christmas to be a little better. He didn't need any presents or trees or shiny things. He just wanted his head back in one piece.
'Oh well, better luck next year.'
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow..."
Dave did not feel too great. Dave didn't even feel slightly great. Dave felt like his head had been stuck in a blender. He couldn't breathe all that well, he felt incredibly tired and weak and why wouldn't the room stop spinning?
He was lying alone in a hotel in Beijing. He had successfully managed to steal his wife's cold and this was his reward. The 24hr trip to get here without any kind of sleep had not helped much.
'Hmm... ' he thought, 'Merry Christmas Dave. Merry... ow.'
Yes. Today was the 25th of December 2005. Christmas had not really made it to China in any kind of big way and Dave had clearly not brought it with him.
"Argh."
Alone, in the dark, Dave lay there and thought back to last week. He remembered meeting up with his friends and family, exchanging presents and goodwill and it brought a smile to his face. That was Christmas. Not this.
The 25th is a fairly meaningless date and december a pretty meaningless month. Christmas is whenever and wherever.
But still, Dave couldn't help wanting this Christmas to be a little better. He didn't need any presents or trees or shiny things. He just wanted his head back in one piece.
'Oh well, better luck next year.'
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Memories...
Dave stood in the room that used to be his. It looked like a bomb had hit it. Bits of old toys lied scattered everywhere, each with it's own unique link to his past. Memories flooded over him from every direction.
He had shared this 3m x 2m room with his three brothers. A quick calculation told him they had around 1.5 square meters of floor space each. 'I'm such a geek.'
Over there was where they had played with this toy and over there was where this game had happened. That was where Pea had been flung into the TV and cut his head open. That was where they had painted a picture on the wall. Dave thought back to how big headed he had been about every little thing. He had actually considered himself a great artist, more than a match for his younger sibling. When did he stop drawing anything other than a smiley face?
That's where the computer originally went. That's where they had signed up to online gaming. Ultima, the latest of Ste's fads. That's where they had painted and played with Games Workshop's figurines. Ste had spent so much time and money on those little things and when he was finally getting into it, all his friends where on there way out. Shame. That's where Alan had wrapped himself up in his blanket and parked himself in front of the TV. Heaven forbid anyone else might like a go on that games console. Is that where Alan had sat on that penknife? He really wasn't sure.
That's where they had cut up old boxes and created wonderful toys. Who else could claim to have made a fully 3D transformer which actually transformed out of a cereal packet and celotape? That Soundwave was cool. Or the fortresses with secret compartments and hidden extras.
That was where Dave had completed game after game after game on console after console. That was where Fire had become an unstoppable gaming champion. Burnt away anything and everything that had stood in his path.
That was where Ste had learnt to eat football, sleep football, drink coca cola. Such a sad day for all involved.
This had been his room. This had been his home. His 1.5 square meters. His life. Pea was leaving. The last of the Natsios children had finally flew away from the nest. The room would finally be reclaimed by Dave's mum and dad after 28 years. They had done a remarkable job raising 5 children in a 2 bedroom terraced house. It must not have been easy. The memory of the room would fade into just that, a memory. He took one final look at a lifetimes supply of junk. Everything reminded him of something. Everything.
Except this weird bit of black plastic. Where the hell had that come from? It didn't really look like anything.
Oh well, almost everything.
He had shared this 3m x 2m room with his three brothers. A quick calculation told him they had around 1.5 square meters of floor space each. 'I'm such a geek.'
Over there was where they had played with this toy and over there was where this game had happened. That was where Pea had been flung into the TV and cut his head open. That was where they had painted a picture on the wall. Dave thought back to how big headed he had been about every little thing. He had actually considered himself a great artist, more than a match for his younger sibling. When did he stop drawing anything other than a smiley face?
That's where the computer originally went. That's where they had signed up to online gaming. Ultima, the latest of Ste's fads. That's where they had painted and played with Games Workshop's figurines. Ste had spent so much time and money on those little things and when he was finally getting into it, all his friends where on there way out. Shame. That's where Alan had wrapped himself up in his blanket and parked himself in front of the TV. Heaven forbid anyone else might like a go on that games console. Is that where Alan had sat on that penknife? He really wasn't sure.
That's where they had cut up old boxes and created wonderful toys. Who else could claim to have made a fully 3D transformer which actually transformed out of a cereal packet and celotape? That Soundwave was cool. Or the fortresses with secret compartments and hidden extras.
That was where Dave had completed game after game after game on console after console. That was where Fire had become an unstoppable gaming champion. Burnt away anything and everything that had stood in his path.
That was where Ste had learnt to eat football, sleep football, drink coca cola. Such a sad day for all involved.
This had been his room. This had been his home. His 1.5 square meters. His life. Pea was leaving. The last of the Natsios children had finally flew away from the nest. The room would finally be reclaimed by Dave's mum and dad after 28 years. They had done a remarkable job raising 5 children in a 2 bedroom terraced house. It must not have been easy. The memory of the room would fade into just that, a memory. He took one final look at a lifetimes supply of junk. Everything reminded him of something. Everything.
Except this weird bit of black plastic. Where the hell had that come from? It didn't really look like anything.
Oh well, almost everything.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Judgement Day
Dave stood next to the man playing the bagpipes under a giant sparkly Christmas tree and waited. Aline had sounded upset in her text. Apparently "they" all were upset with Dave as of late. He had "changed".
When Aline arrived on the sceen, she said the words that can drive fear and dread into even the bravest of men.
"Let's go shopping, I've just got a couple more people to buy things for."
(NOTE: Yes Macca, I know what your getting from Aline. All I can say is "ouch, what did you do?")
The shopping came and went and the pair of them now sat together in McDonalds with a minty McFlurry each. What better time to finally have the deep conversation that had been on Aline's mind for clearly 2 years now. This was it, Judgement Day.
The conversation was surprisingly short and painless. Aline appologised almost as much as she accused and not much was said other than, "We should really meet up more often."
Dave agreed whole heartedly and all was right in the world once more. Judgement Day had passed and killer robots had not destroyed humanity, what more could anyone want. It truely was a Merry Christmas. Of cause, it meant Dave's speach went mostly unsaid...
"To Whom it may Concern (i.e All of "them")
I am fully aware that I have not spent as much time with all my old friends as I did in the good old days. Unfortantly, this is kind of the way of life and not entirely my fault.
Obviously I could never spend as much time with the people I used to live with as I used to, for the simple reason that we no longer live together. Nor do we go to school together, nor Uni together, nor work together. Straight away that kinda narrows down a whole heap of time.
I am in university most days from 9 till 5, I am then in work monday to thursday 5 to 9. Waking up early the next day leaves me completely not in the mood to do anything after work. That narrows my available time down to friday night and the weekend. This time last year I WAS working 7 days a week.
Believe it or not i have to eat, this usually requires shopping. I have to do housework. I have to go to Church every Sunday. I have to mark homeworks. My time quickly starts to fade away.
As for, "You never call". I've never been much of a phone person, quite often find it hard to understand people on the phone, not surprising when u consider something daft like 80% of communication is through body language. Besides which, a phone works both ways, if we haven't spoken on the phone it's not completely down to me right?
On top of which I AM married. I am not ashamed of the fact that Jean is the center of my universe now. Nor do I take back or regret my recent comment that Jean is my best friend. Maybe I'm strange, but I kinda grew up thinking that's how things were suppose to be when you got married.
Comming from Aline, who when asked, "Who is your best friend?" replied, "Everyone.", I'm surprised she made such a fuss over that best friend thing at all.
Have I changed? Yes. Yes I have. I think we all have. I think most people in the world are different now than how they were 3 years ago. Especially people like Beth (aged 3) and Anya (aged 5 months). I've become much more aware of the world around me. I guess in some ways I've matured. But if you stick some loud music on and hand me a drink I'll probably still dance 'better' than everyone else put together, sing like an idiot and have a great time doing it.
Do I still think certain pointless things are cute, funny or cool? Yes, but I just don't want SO many of them lying round in my house. Am I still Dave Caveman, international sex symbol, Man of Love, baby? Some things will never change.
I hope whoever reads this has a great day. I really am a happy chappy, even if parts of that sounded less than chappy standards. I enjoy my life and I'm usually proud of it. I do miss some of the times we had together and i do like spending time with everyone.
See you all soon."
'Oh well,' Dave thought to himself, 'This is very nice Minty McFlurry."
"Shall we go home?"
When Aline arrived on the sceen, she said the words that can drive fear and dread into even the bravest of men.
"Let's go shopping, I've just got a couple more people to buy things for."
(NOTE: Yes Macca, I know what your getting from Aline. All I can say is "ouch, what did you do?")
The shopping came and went and the pair of them now sat together in McDonalds with a minty McFlurry each. What better time to finally have the deep conversation that had been on Aline's mind for clearly 2 years now. This was it, Judgement Day.
The conversation was surprisingly short and painless. Aline appologised almost as much as she accused and not much was said other than, "We should really meet up more often."
Dave agreed whole heartedly and all was right in the world once more. Judgement Day had passed and killer robots had not destroyed humanity, what more could anyone want. It truely was a Merry Christmas. Of cause, it meant Dave's speach went mostly unsaid...
"To Whom it may Concern (i.e All of "them")
I am fully aware that I have not spent as much time with all my old friends as I did in the good old days. Unfortantly, this is kind of the way of life and not entirely my fault.
Obviously I could never spend as much time with the people I used to live with as I used to, for the simple reason that we no longer live together. Nor do we go to school together, nor Uni together, nor work together. Straight away that kinda narrows down a whole heap of time.
I am in university most days from 9 till 5, I am then in work monday to thursday 5 to 9. Waking up early the next day leaves me completely not in the mood to do anything after work. That narrows my available time down to friday night and the weekend. This time last year I WAS working 7 days a week.
Believe it or not i have to eat, this usually requires shopping. I have to do housework. I have to go to Church every Sunday. I have to mark homeworks. My time quickly starts to fade away.
As for, "You never call". I've never been much of a phone person, quite often find it hard to understand people on the phone, not surprising when u consider something daft like 80% of communication is through body language. Besides which, a phone works both ways, if we haven't spoken on the phone it's not completely down to me right?
On top of which I AM married. I am not ashamed of the fact that Jean is the center of my universe now. Nor do I take back or regret my recent comment that Jean is my best friend. Maybe I'm strange, but I kinda grew up thinking that's how things were suppose to be when you got married.
Comming from Aline, who when asked, "Who is your best friend?" replied, "Everyone.", I'm surprised she made such a fuss over that best friend thing at all.
Have I changed? Yes. Yes I have. I think we all have. I think most people in the world are different now than how they were 3 years ago. Especially people like Beth (aged 3) and Anya (aged 5 months). I've become much more aware of the world around me. I guess in some ways I've matured. But if you stick some loud music on and hand me a drink I'll probably still dance 'better' than everyone else put together, sing like an idiot and have a great time doing it.
Do I still think certain pointless things are cute, funny or cool? Yes, but I just don't want SO many of them lying round in my house. Am I still Dave Caveman, international sex symbol, Man of Love, baby? Some things will never change.
I hope whoever reads this has a great day. I really am a happy chappy, even if parts of that sounded less than chappy standards. I enjoy my life and I'm usually proud of it. I do miss some of the times we had together and i do like spending time with everyone.
See you all soon."
'Oh well,' Dave thought to himself, 'This is very nice Minty McFlurry."
"Shall we go home?"
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Rules
"If I make rules for myself, I can't break them. If I break them all the time, they're not rules. My spirit has value. I'm not willing to sell my spirit."
- L.J 2005
Dave heard these words and thought about the rules he had made for himself over the years. If a man says he will do one thing and then turns round and does the other, what kind of man is he? Luckily, Dave was a good man, he always did what he set out to do...
1. Thou shall wake up at 7am every morning when your wife has too...
...Or stay in bed till around 9:30.
2. Thou shall get up and do some house work before going to Uni...
...Or lie there and stare at the ceiling.
3. Thou shall do an increasing number of sit ups every day...
...Or spend an increasing amount of time sitting down.
4. Thou shall go swimming every day...
...for the first week of Uni, then forget about it.
5. Thou shall learn to speak Chinese...
...one day.
6. Thou shall study and work on your PhD for at least 6 hours a day...
... which includes an hour of email checking, 2 hours of deciding what to do and 3 hours of surfing the web.
7. Thou shall read more books...
...when you have time.
8. Thou shall teach your niece...
...at some point.
9. Thou shall take your wife to see the world...
... next year?
10. Thou shall not waste all day writing a blog...
...half the day is fine though.
Luckily, Dave was a good man, who had always done what he set out to.
Good boy, Dave. Good boy.
- L.J 2005
Dave heard these words and thought about the rules he had made for himself over the years. If a man says he will do one thing and then turns round and does the other, what kind of man is he? Luckily, Dave was a good man, he always did what he set out to do...
1. Thou shall wake up at 7am every morning when your wife has too...
...Or stay in bed till around 9:30.
2. Thou shall get up and do some house work before going to Uni...
...Or lie there and stare at the ceiling.
3. Thou shall do an increasing number of sit ups every day...
...Or spend an increasing amount of time sitting down.
4. Thou shall go swimming every day...
...for the first week of Uni, then forget about it.
5. Thou shall learn to speak Chinese...
...one day.
6. Thou shall study and work on your PhD for at least 6 hours a day...
... which includes an hour of email checking, 2 hours of deciding what to do and 3 hours of surfing the web.
7. Thou shall read more books...
...when you have time.
8. Thou shall teach your niece...
...at some point.
9. Thou shall take your wife to see the world...
... next year?
10. Thou shall not waste all day writing a blog...
...half the day is fine though.
Luckily, Dave was a good man, who had always done what he set out to.
Good boy, Dave. Good boy.
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