1104.26 COUGHING

I woke up this morning with a cough and irritation on my chest, I could hardly speak. Morticia was very poorly this morning, she wouldn't wake up so I ended up not taking her to the doctors as I planned (although I will be taking her tomorrow).

I drove the car to work, I had a meeting at Maltby first thing, I arrived early so ended up sat in the car for 20 minutes listening to something on Radio 4 that I forget now.

My chest and throat didn't get any better (but no worse) all through my shift. I managed a good getaway since I had the car with me.

I cooked supper when I got home, Morticia is still as bad, coughing all the time. She is worried now she'll throw up (again).

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1104.24 EASTER EGG

So the big bunny came and I had the best Easter in a long time. No tension, completely relaxed. Perfect.

Yesterday I mentioned my purchase of a couple of books from a charity shop. One of them was 'Adrian Mole- The Prostrate Years' by Sue Townsend. I remember being 14 and reading the original Secret Diary and follow up Growing Pains. I was never very comfortable being a teenager and identified with the character. I couldn't resist the book when I saw it and started reading it as soon as I got back. I've ended up reading it within 24 hours (something I haven't done in a long time). Although I don't share much with the character I do find myself still relating to him. A boy who becomes a man who always feels slightly out of sync with the world around him. I feel like that often. Sue Townsend is a genius that somehow understands the male mind.

This evening Morticia, her mother and the girls took a walk to the local pub for a pint. It was the first time since I've been coming down here that I've visited any of the locals. I had a pint of Wells Eagle IPA in the Cambridgeshire Hunter. It was getting cold so we headed back (plus Rags was getting tired).

We go home tomorrow which is a real shame since I'm so relaxed at the moment. I'm currently settled on the settee enjoying a pint of real ale.

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1104.23 ST GEORGE

As usual for this time of year we are all down south visiting Morticia's mother and her partner. I enjoy the break and for a change my eldest is behaving pretty well.

Today is St George's Day, the day we celebrate our Englishness. We visited the town centre today, it's been extremely hot so after perusing local shops we sat outside the cafe in the town square for a cuppa. I couldn't help but look on in envy at the lone cyclist enjoying a break. I really want that, the bike, the journey, the lifestyle. As we enjoyed our break we were treated to some unexpected entertainment.

Morris dancing, how English, how apt. Even Rags had a go. Perfect.

I purchased 2 books from the Cat Protection charity shop and was given a free one from the box of unsaleable book box.

Tonight is Doctor Who night with the premiere of the new series. It's been taped (is it people of my aged group that say 'taped' when they mean Sky+ or similar?) and I'm still waiting to watch it.

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1104.22 ABSENCE

Ok, so I haven't blogged in ages. To be honest I haven't done anything in ages. We've had major problems with our teenage daughter which (touch wood) are now under some sort of control. I've neglected myself and my friends during this period, something I hope to rectify.

This week I started giving blood again after a gap of almost 2 years. They made a real mess of my arm but I'm not deterred, I need to take control of my life and this was the first step.

In a couple of weeks I'll be 40 and I'll have to admit defeat on my '40 b4 40' project. Maybe I'll set up a '50 b4 50' (?).

I used to enjoy blogging, and when I do I still enjoy it. It's a chore sometimes to get started.

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1103.05 AFTER SHOW

My kids have been in a show this week at Rotherham Arts Centre. They are active members of Kimberworth Park Youth Theatre. Any parent who's kids do any extra out of school know the extra pressures when they do so sort of event associated with their activity. Like the big match for a footballer the play was the pinnacle of their 'season'.

Once again it was a great success and my girls did a marvellous job. Well done.

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1103.01 AWFUL FEBRUARY

February was probably the most stressful month I think I've been through. Family issues have pushed me to the edge. Add to that work stress (office politics) and the worry of the state of the country under the Tories (prices increasing, lack of job security). I'm really hoping that March is a time for change, I have tried to make changes and to get assistance where needed. Let's hope it all works out, my sanity is at stake here.

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1102.20 CFS/ME AWARENESS

I'm currently crusading on behalf of my wife who has suffered from ME for several years and has only just started to receive treatment. The only reason for this is lack of knowledge from health care professionals. I am researching online support both via websites and Facebook groups/pages.

So many doctors don't 'believe' in CFS/ME and most sufferers have to battle just to be diagnosed.

Support us on 12th May for 2011 Blue Ribbon ME/CFS Awareness Day.

http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/justice-for-cfs-me-sufferers.html

1102.09 LIFE BEGINS...

Mr C, you are the brother I never had, a friend that is always there. You have seen me through the good and bad times. We've been on adventures and experienced so much over the years. We've laughed, we've cried and laughed some more. You are my children's Godfather and my best man.

Happy 40th birthday dude. This is where life begins (apparently).

1102.04 RADIO GAGA

Today I was a local celebrity, by that Mean that I was featured in a 90 second interview with BBC Radio Sheffield on the Toby Foster Show. The interview was about Twitter and how I use it at work. One thing I don't usually do is blog about my work but since I've never been on the radio then I thought it would be appropriate. For the last 5 months I've been tasked with pushing my team at work onto social networks. On of the main things I started was a 'pro' Twitter account detailing what I do from day to day (all my personal stuff remains with @captainkirt).

You can catch the show on iPlayer for a week at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00d99v3 (the piece is about 15 minutes in).

Or the segment I feature in at http://boo.fm/b269150 (posted by BBC Radio Sheffield's James Vincent).

You can also read an article on my tweeting at http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sheffield/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9387000/9387463.stm

1101.30 ACHES AND SNEEZES

I'm sure I never used to feel like this when I was in my 20s, I ache inside and my face feels like I've been kicked by a horse. My neck cracks everytime I move it. Is this what I have to look forward to as I get older?