There have always been things I won't blog about, personal things, things that are not the business of those not involved. If my blog was anonymous then I could write whatever I liked, but then who would read it
And so it it with this in mind I attempt to sum up the last 9 months and look forward to the start of next year
I think those who know me, and have read my blogs before will know what the big change in my life was in March of this year, I believe it was the talk of the family at one point....as you'd expect really....but in March/April a decision was made that left me looking for somewhere to live
Naivety led to me renting a flat, in Eastleigh, just two streets from Amelia but next door to a members club. And this was fine, until the first Friday night, or as I will call it here Krapeoke night (that's a play on karaoke but also conveying the quality of the performances, are you with me)
Let's just say the more mature residents of Eastleigh are not quite at the level of the musical greats, Lionel, Elton, Cliff, but by god do they give it a good shot.....until gone midnight :-(
But apart from the music, the flat was ok, well, except for the smell. Smokey Joe was my neighbour downstairs (named changed to protect his identity) and boy did I know it, his delightful aroma seeping through the floorboards. Still, when he moved out he gave me hash browns and Yorkshire puddings so he wasn't all bad
There was the minor issue of maggotgate (I hate when people put gate on the end of things to make it sound newsworthy) as a part of Fridgegate ;-) when my fridge decided to stop working and some new friends moved in. But all was sorted pretty quickly and my flat was returned to pristine palace status
The shower screen proved safest living on the floor beside the toilet, now you'll probably question it's effectiveness at preventing the escape of water but after it made two attempts to decapitate Amelia when it fell off, I decided it was safest
I could sit here reeling off endless adventures from my time in that flat (I actually couldn't, I've got nothing else) but let's move on
It has been very practical, for walking Amelia to school, for walking to Amelia's, and for getting to McDonald's in time for a sausage and egg mcmuffin with extra bacon (some servers charge for the bacon and some don't) but the time has come to move on
And so it is that this week I have moved back to my spiritual home of Boyatt Wood, or 'The Hood' as some people may call it. Obviously I wouldn't associate with such ruffians.
I now have a flat big enough for Amelia and I, she has the pinkest bedroom that anyone w̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶l̶i̶e̶ ̶a̶w̶a̶k̶e̶ ̶a̶t̶ ̶n̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶h̶a̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶n̶i̶g̶h̶t̶m̶a̶r̶e̶s̶ ̶a̶b̶o̶u̶t̶ dream for and she loves it. It just needs some finishing touches today in the form of yellow curtains and bedding.....oh and a wardrobe
It's been strange waking up the last couple of mornings to the sound of nothing. No planes, trains and automobiles, and boy did my neighbour love playing that at 5am each day (it's an 80's film reference, no I didn't say it was funny). But seriously it's quiet, eerily quiet and it'll take some getting used to after 7 years in the town centre
Now it has been suggested that I use this blog as a method of obtaining sympathy or for giving off some impression that I'm the perfect dad or some such. This is not, and has never been the case. Sympathy could only be expected from someone in a better position that myself and I consider myself to be doing pretty darn well to be honest. Yes I'd love to live with Amelia, of course I would, I never intended to end up in the position I'm now in, but you've got to make the most of any situation and appreciate how much more fortunate you are than others
It would be fair to say that without the support of my family, Amelia's mum, and my friends I would not have come out of this year in the way that I have. When I moved on Friday I had 3 good friends there to help me, and by help me, I really mean move my stuff for me (yes I really do have a bad back) and they were a godsend (though I don't believe in god, don't let that ruin the sentiment). And even today when I need to collect a wardrobe for Amelia I have had several people offer me their time and transport to do so
If there was one thing I learnt from my late brother in law, it was that you should always be there to help your friends, family, or anyone really. You never know when you will need help yourself, but more than that, it's just good to help people.
And so it is I head towards Christmas, my ceiling decorations having been left by the previous owners, my tree coming from great friends and decorations coming from some vague acquaintance (I'm joking Clare, it's genuinely appreciated) so there will be Christmas in my new home (near Chandlers Ford)
I very much doubt I'll be writing anything more this year....except for maybe depressed ramblings on Christmas Day when I'm at work, so I'll end by wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and once again thank everyone that has supported me through this year
May 2014 continue to build on great things and become even greater
:-)
P.S. It's only in the last few months that I have realised why you text 241 for an orange Wednesday ticket, and why Eminem's name is Eminem. I'm not really as stupid as this makes me sound ;-)
Joyeux Noël
