Journal - January 2003
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Wednesday - 1st January
I returned home after a suitable late start to the day.
The clippers have now sailed through the Panama Canal and are making their way across the Pacific Ocean.
Unbelievable another ship has run into the wreck of the Tricolor. Vicky a 43,000 tanker carrying 70,000 tons of kerosene.
"I saw some light buoys but I didn't understand what it meant or why they were there because my normal charts don't show any light buoys." [Skipper of the Vicky explaining how he came to run aground on top of the Tricolour]
Read how the tricolour saga began
Thursday - 2nd January
What does it mean when it starts to get light before I have gone to work in January? It means I have slept in because I forgot to set the alarm.
Friday - 3rd January
After yesterdays unexpectedly late start I made sure I arrived early for work. I was in the car park before 7.30am and in the office about 7.40am. I can safely say that is the earliest I have been to work this year.
At the gym I decided to concentrate on upper arm bicept work. I'm not sure it did anything for my arms but my face certainly went red!
Saturday - 4th January
I think I over did yesterdays session in the gym. I didn't feel sore, just so sleepy. I had been planning to stay in as I didn't fancy going anywhere as my car was covered in ice. After inspecting the cupboards I found a visit to a local supermarket was required.
Sunday - 5th January
My car was covered in ice again. I think that the time to get a new battery for my car is drawing near, it just doesn't like starting when ever it is cold.
Monday - 6th January
I don't remember moving house, but when I looked outside everywhere was white with frost. Where I park in Liverpool the sea gulls were walking on the ice in the dock. I had to defrost my car going to work and coming home. Despite the cold weather I still managed to work out at the gym.
Later in the evening I went to see the Star Trek - Nemesis. The film is about the Romulans who have a mission for Captain Picard.
Tuesday - 7th January
Musicians rehersal (yes on a Tuesday). One of the musicians had purchased some new equipment so it took quite a bit of time getting the sound on stage right.
Wednesday - 8th January
When I left work I didn't exactly feel bursting with energy. I decided not to go to the gym as later in the evening there was a meal at the church building.
Thursday - 9th January
After work I didn't go out, instead I relaxed at home.
Friday - 10th January
When I got up in the morning and openned my wardrope I noticed something unusual. Apparently I miscounted the number of shirts I ironed because there weren't any in my wardrope. Guess what I had to do before going to work?
After work I went to the gym as normal. I was home in time to watch the record charts on TV.
Saturday - 11th January
I purchased some wallpaper in preparation for decorating an alcolve.
While doing my weekly shop I noticed a special offer... 18 cans of cider at almost the same price as 8 cans.
I ventured out into my back garden and spotted grass growing between the paving stones. I started rectifying the situation.
Before you ask, HMS Ark Royal hasn't run aground on the Tricolour. The Ark Royal sailed from Portsmouth towards the Mediterranean Sea. The Royal Navy flagship may become involved if there is a war in Iraq.
Sunday - 12th January
When I looked out in the morning I noticed something different about my car. For the last week each time I have looked out in the morning my car has glistened in the street lights. No I haven't waxed it recently, the reason it often looks like the stars have fallen out the sky onto my car is how cold it has been for the last week.
With the help of my trusty spade I removed much of the grass growing between the paving stones in my back garden. Later in the year I intend to cement all the paving stones together so I don't have to keep sorting out the grass between the paving stones.
On the TV I saw a rather disturbing programme about Zimbabwe apparently food supplies have been deliberately blocked to areas that didn't vote in favour of the regime.
Monday - 13th January
Despite ironing shirts last night, I didn't manage to get to work as early as I planned. The trouble with driving to work is the traffic gets worse the later I leave so it is logical to leave earlier. However this logic doesn't seem so crystal clear early in the morning.
After work I went to the gym despite feeling tired. I managed to get through just over half my program then I gave up. I just had no energy.
Tuesday - 14th January
Musicians rehersal. After last weeks changes on stage we had several things to sort out to get the sound balanced.
Wednesday - 15th January
I had a long day at work. I needed to build up my flexi time I had booked Friday off work.
I was rather late arriving at the gym, so I didn't complete my exercise program.
Thursday - 16th January
I had quite a surprise when I arrived at the car park in Liverpool. Builders had fenced off a big section and were digging holes! I think they are starting work on a multi-story car park.
HMS Ocean left for the Gulf.
Friday - 17th January
I had accumulated enough flexi-time, so I took the day off work. I put some plaster board up in my loft and I purchased some more from a DIY shop. I sanded my central heating cupboard and glued the last piece in place
In the evening I went to the gym.
Saturday - 18th January
In the morning I purchased a replacement headlight bulb for my car and did my weekly food shopping.
I vacuumed most of my house including the loft - my parents were coming for tea.
Sunday - 19th January
After church I replaced the faulty headlight bulb. There is so little room in the engine bay of my car, in the end I took out the radiator grill, the whole head light assembly and all I wanted to do was fit a new bulb!
I sent off my most recent photographs to get developed. One of these days I splash out and get a fancy digital camera.
Monday - 20th January
I started another new program, this one is a split program with two parts. This was the first part with all the traditional exercises like squats and bench presses.
Tuesday - 21st January
Wednesday - 22nd January
The second part of the my gym program is quite tough with lots of dumbell work.
Musicians rehersal.
Thursday - 23rd January
I took the morning off work so I could go to the funeral of someone I knew from church.
Another ship ran into the tricolour wreck.
Friday - 24th January
I had so much to do at work... I did a nine hour day then decided it was time to go home!
I still managed most of my work out at the gym. I couldn't quite finish my program as I arrived so late.
Guess who forgot to record the first stage of the Monaco Rally?
Saturday - 25th January
I nailed some more plaster board in place in my loft. I remembered to finish in time to watch the Saturday stages of the Monaco rally.
Sunday - 26th January
In the afternoon I put some more sealant around my bath. Hopefully that will stop the water dripping through the ceiling each time I have a shower. I tried out the demo of a game "Impossible Creatures" and you guessed it - yes I missed the final stages of the Monaco Car rally.
In the evening I watched a film called "Left Behind".
Monday - 27th January
When I returned home in the evening from the gym I was pleasantly surprised. My photographs had returned in the post including a picture some of my friends standing near the Big One, the Blackpool roller coaster.
Tuesday - 28th January
After work I went to my parent to have tea. One of the dining room chairs seems to be near retirement... one of its legs has a large crack.
Later in the evening we went to the Institute of Advanced Motorists meeting.
Wednesday - 29th January
I am starting to get used to my gym program, so hopefully I can make some progress.
Musicians rehersal for the Saturday "Together for Harvest" meeting with several local churches at our building.
Thursday - 30th January
A night in? No I went to church meeting at a friends house. I was late arriving :-(
Friday - 31st January
At work I was told that I will be transferring to another project... no more trips to Singapore
At the gym I did a some extra calf exercises than weren't in my program. Later in the evening I watched the pop charts while I was cooking a curry.
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