For Pete's Sake

If Carlsberg took photographs..

As mentioned in my last post Cati and I travelled to Paris on New Year’s day for a 4 day holiday. It’s been several years since I’ve last visited, less for Cati, and to be honest I wasn’t quite sure what we’d do. When Cati lived here we did the major touristy things like going up the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and so on but very little after that. To be honest the main detractor from doing much was that her flat was up seven flights of stairs. At the time I was less fit than I am now and it was quite an effort so we mostly stayed in her little flat; sad I know.

Anyway the trip this time has been a little different. First of all our accommodation isn’t up lots of stairs, this time round we’re staying with a friend of Cati’s from her time here at Uni. It’s outside Paris in what is effectively the suburbs. It’s a lovely place to be and it’s kinda nice to be out of the craziness that is central Paris. This has helped a wee bit as when we went in to Paris yesterday it felt more like a day trip rather than a wander around your own back yard. I get the same feeling with Bristol now that we live in the suburbs. It’s made the trip feel that little bit more special and, as I’m more active these days, we got up to a lot of things in just one day. I shan’t go in to the particulars of what we did as that will appear on our holiday website and I don’t want to steal its thunder but less to say we’ve had a lot of fun.

We’re going home tomorrow and I am looking forward to being back at home. I always do miss home when I’m away but I’ve enjoyed Paris much more than I did than when Cati lived here which is also a sad thing. There are so many things to do in Paris that if I’d have been more energetic when Cati was living here I think I’d have had a greater appreciation for the city than I did till now. Whether we’ll make many more trips is another thing in light of our future plans but I think that I have a greater respect for Paris now than I did purely by getting out there and actually seeing Paris.

As the title says aside from my XBox dying what else has there been going on in my life? Well as alluded to in a previous blog post I was/am quite excited about what the year ahead my hold but I didn’t say why. Well now I will tell since my family now know as do many friends and I’m sure friends of friends. Anyway, Catrin and I have formally and officially started the process to emigrate to Australia.

As many who know me personally will know this has long since been a desire however there was always the stumbling block of money and timing. Well it all came to a head start of this month when we decided we’d waited enough and come hell or high water we’d apply. The economy everwhere is shot so it didn’t really matter and we happened to have funds in place that could assist in our application so we figured why the hell not. So we started things off and then told family. I’m not 100% sure what all their thoughts are as at the moment I’ve just been told good luck and such. I’d rather not speculate so it’s good that the feedback has been positive.

So there we are, breaking old news shocker and no doubt I will keep you all up-to-date with what’s happening on our emigration. Right now Cat is sorting her skills assessment and has an English test 7th Feb I think. Don’t ask why she’s taking just know that it gives more points.

So here were are, finally in 2008. I meant to get a review of the year up before we got here but alas I didn’t but there you go. Then again at least I can say this review is that off the full year I suppose. For me, it’s been a year of ups and downs just as any other year but in many ways the downs have been impacted more than usual.

I guess though the main thing of 2007 was the fact that I graduated from University which was officially certified in November. Catrin and I also celebrated our first full year of marriage with a fun party for all and chances are we’ll do the same next year. I saw my first NFL and NHL game at two great venues and less to say I hope I’m able to do something similar this year and Catrin turned 25.

As for the not so good points I don’t really want to go back over, they’ve happened and a partially document here but I can’t see much reason pointing them out. So what does 2008 hold? First and foremost it’s my 25th birthday this year (although it’s a while till that’ll happen) and Catrin and I will be heading to Iceland in the summer. Not to mention the fact that I have a half-marathon to run as well. Then there are those things that you don’t plan for and just happen. What those things will be, well that’s why life is so exciting I guess. As for resolutions, well I hope to lose weight as well as get fitter but that’s what most people list for resolutions.

So here’s to 2008 and a happy new year to you all!

As ever it seems I’m back to my old ways of rarely updating. Guess I’ve been too busy in some ways or too lazy either way this blog has been a bit quiet. Don’t panic though, I’m quite happy with everything here, guess I just haven’t had much to say in some ways. I mean since I last blogged not a lot has happened. Sure I’ve been a few places, watch the odd Westbury game or two and Cat has done her ballet exam but some how I just haven’t been spurred to blog.

Perhaps, with New Year on the way, I should make it a resolution to at least blog fortnightly just at least to keep those who may read this blog (does anyone? I mean actually read it here, on my site?) up-to-date. I mean I’m training for a half-marathon next year so that would be quite interesting to chronicle. Still just thought I’d let people know I’m still here.

So here I am, at home, still no job and money running on the thin side. I’m waiting to hear from a job interview that I had last Thursday which could go either way and while I’ll take the job if they offer me it I feel that I’ll be going only for the money. If I don’t get the job I then face a crossroads. One road will take me to a couple of positions I could’ve gone for earlier but didn’t as I don’t want to work in a call centre. It’s almost a guaranteed job and will ease worries. The other is waiting, claiming dole and hoping the job I want comes sooner rather than later. The other two roads are exploring other possibilities like teaching or just getting a sales job till I get one in IT that I like.

The thing is I need to decide soon as things aren’t easy right now. Cati is stressing over the money and the problems it’s causing and this is where the problem lies. At the moment I’m effectively living off Cati and that’s unfair to her and it has never sat well with me. Problem is, which road do I take?