Day 334 Parenting

Wow is parenting difficult, and scary too, all you can really do is try your best to do the best by your child or children if you are mad enough to have more than one.

Its amazing how quickly they grow up and even more so how quickly they appear to grow up.

My daughter is off to a birthday party today and is dressed up to the max.

I find it difficult to believe it is 7 and a half years since we didn't have a kid, and even harder sometimes to realise that she is still only 7 and a half.

I really hope she has fun and all I can do is protect her the best I can and be here to pick up the pieces when she needs me too.

Paul

Day 333 Time captured

My wife had a jewellery party last night with the wonderful Sarah Harperly who runs Under The Lemon tree (check her out on Facebook) and purchased herself this pretty awesome necklace timepiece

As for me I'm pretty much grounded this weekend as I seem to have twisted my knee making me pretty much immobile. Excellent!

Paul

Day 332 Lego and Meat

A bit of an unexpected day today, a gift from a friend and then a meal with another friend.

Before Monday I hadn't seen Ali Cree in nearly 2 months and now I've seen him twice in 4 days, and if I saw him again tomorrow we would still talk effortlessly for hours.

My gift was from the very kind Mr Knott who bought me my third lego ferrari, only 3 to go now (the yellow one, the white one and the truck if you are interested, but let me know as I'll be getting them soon)

So here are 2 pictures that sum up my day. 

Paul

Day 331 Out

Today I had a random twitter conversation with an American business, they have a really good idea and I was asking if they shipped to Britain which unfortunately they don't. They then asked when I would next be in the US of A which got me thinking about my holiday in the states back in 2003, and one of the things we enjoyed the most that surprised us both was a baseball game. It wasn't necessarily the sport itself but due to the diversification in San Francisco the ball park was a literal melting pot of ethnicity and cultures, all coming together with one common cause. It's something that's often underrated, the feeling of belonging to something bigger, being a part of something, feeling a part of a team.

What can I say I quickly go off on one when I start thinking!

Anyway this is a collectible which we purchased while we were there to remind us of our time at the game.

Paul

Day 330 Fluffy Clouds

This was one of those days where an opportunity just presented itself first thing this morning 

Another awesome sunrise in the North East

Paul

Day 329 Pizza with friends

Today was a good day, I got paid, I had pizza, I had a photographic enquiry and I met up with a dear friend.

In other news, christmas shopping is very very nearly finished!

Golfing tomorrow too! Yay

Paul

Day 328 Fast Cars

One pastime I haven't shared with you is my enjoyment of motor sports. Today for those that don't know was the last F1 race of the season, the last race Mark Webers career and the last race of the V8 era with a plethora of changes to come in next seasons championship.

I've always found aggressive drivers the most entertaining, some of my favourites including Kimi Raikonnen, JP Montoya and even Vettel, who is the current master of squeezing every last drop of performance at the car and going for the win at all costs. The master in my opinion has to be Ayrton Senna, a master taken too early, a great possibly even a legend not allowed to fulfil his potential to really push the records of the sport. 

That said I don't have a toy car of Senna, and I was pretty desperate for a photo so this JP Montoya replica will need to do! 

Paul

Day 327 Bonne Anniversaire

I have no idea if I have spelt that correctly, for once I'm not really bothered.

11 years ago today I donned a kilt, had a massive breakfast, drank some southern comfort, married the woman I loved (and still do for that matter), had an amazing meal with close family and friends, drank champagne and anything else I could get my hands on and sang some very bad karaoke! 

This evening I celebrate after being at work all day, with a bottle of my favourite wine (Beringer sparkling White Zinfandel ) some steak and sparkling company.

Here's to another 12 months with my soulmate!

Paul

Day 326 Keeping Dry

After what seems like an age but in fact had only been a little over a fortnight I was back on the golf course today. If I'm honest I was a little nervous over the weather after what has been an interesting week weather wise.

That said we couldn't have asked for better, we arrived to a cloudy cold course but after paying the clouds broke and we were welcomed by bright sunshine which stayed with us for the round. 

Matfen really is a great place to play, even more so on a bright winters day, with the brown, orange, red and yellow leaves framing the fairways.

Anyway here is today's image

A thoroughly enjoyable day, even if the golf wasn't that fantastic! 

Paul 

Day 325 Twit Twooo

Another busy day today finishing off the christmas shopping, well apart from some of the little stuff for the little one.

A productive meeting after lunch which should hopefully secure me some work in 2014. That said late June and July are already shaping up to be quite busy with no weekends off already! 

My meeting today was in the very stylish Lola Jeans in tynemouth. It's the second time I've popped in and I love the feel of the place. I would imagine it feels a bit different once it's full of puss heads, but for a quiet afternoon pint or even a coffee it's a nice place.

Since last time I was in they have added these lovely tea light holders which are very kitsch.

Fingers crossed this business proposal comes through, exciting times ahead maybe? Or at least a few days a year anyway! :) 

Paul

Day 324 Weather

I'm guessing I'm not the only one who gets sick of the constant weather updates on Facebook and Twitter. I have windows I can see what the weather is! Grrrrr

That said today we've had about every weather possible. Rain, snow, sunshine, wind, calm and cloudy. We did however get a double freaking rainbow!

Paul

Day 323 Nothing good happens after 2am

That's a quote from a TV show called how I met your mother, which happened to be the TV show we were watching when Christine went into labour with Erin. 

I need to remember this advice and then I don't make stupid decisions like I did at 4am this morning.

My current fitness regime is a weekly round of golf and maybe a little bit of time on the exercise bike. So what persuaded me that it would be a good idea to go for a jog this morning I do not know. The thought process was, ooh thinking about looking for a holiday, want to look good in my bikini (not really), so why not start trying to get fit. 

Many icy puddles later and this is what my trainers looked like. Never mind what I look like hobbling around and coughing and wheezing all day long.

Needless to say it's not something that will be repeated soon. 

Paul

Day 322 Holiday Shopping

So we are trying to book a holiday for next year, and just when we think we have it sorted and have the money nearly ready to book it, bang the price shoots up by £500! Holidays are supposed to be relaxing right?

Back to these then!

Hopefully the actual holiday will be less stressful!

Paul 

Day 321 Lazy Day

Great lazy family today, we headed out for a nice walk along the beach this morning culminating in a little bit of crabbing on the pier, depending on your definition I caught 4 and landed 1. All quite small things, 2 of them fighting over the bait in one cast.

Then back home for lazy afternoon in front of the TV, cuddling and reading.

Just like a Sunday should be!

Paul

Day 320 Setting Up

When photographing children I always try and use one of their toys to make sure the lights are at the correct level, this serves 2 purposes, firstly the child gets to see whats going to happen and that there is nothing to be scared of with the lights, secondly it means once the child is in position I'm not wasting any time getting the levels right, it quickly gets hot and heat and children doesn't tend to mix, they have a tendency to get a little grumpy.

So this is the set up shot from todays shoot.

Tomorrow, will hopefully be a proper lazy day!

Paul

Day 319 Leaving

The trees to be bare throughout the winter....

Love kicking my way through a pile of fallen leaves 

Paul

Day 318 Remotely Funny

As in its not even remotely funny how often this little bugger goes missing.

I like it, it's stylish and minimalistic, but it's just annoying easy to lose. 

Luckily I can always use my phone instead!

Paul

Day 317 Autumn walks

Lunchtime walking is back on.... And what lovely colours there is around the business park.

Paul 

Day 316 - Messing around with Lego again

I had intended to get up and go back to the same place I went last night, but to capture the sunrise.

Unfortunately I slept in, so I settled for taking some pictures of lego instead.

This one was my favourite.

Paul

Day 315 Clouded Judgement

Or maybe its just the sky.......

Busy night out at sea by the looks of it.

Paul

Day 314 - Too Far, Too Soon

I didn't see the whole of the moon,  slightly over half I would say.

I've always felt that when the moon isn't full you can still just about see the rest of this? Now I wonder am I on my own in thinking this, or is it a trick of the mind, or am I just crazy??

Paul

Day 313 52 days to go

So how many more sunrises can I squeeze in? This one wasn't planned, but it took my breath away on the way to work this morning. Although that could have been the cold.

Enjoy your weekend

Paul 

Day 312 - No place like home

I've been meaning to take a new profile pic for twitter for a while now, and thought while I had one of the lights out I may as well take some pics of the wife. Just because its one of the things I enjoy the most.

So here is her favourite out of the ones I took.

For my new profile picture check out my Facebook or my twitter.

Paul

Day 311 Weird

Today has been very weird, lots of good mixed with lots of bad. I don't do well on roller coaster days.

I don't understand people, and often I am left wondering if it is me or if it is then.

However I did pick up a new phone case this afternoon to cheer myself up

Keep smiling folks

Paul 

Day 310 - Five a day

This counts surely???

I think it's 2 portions. 

Paul 

Day 309 Doodles

My wife won't let me draw on her arm because she's frightened that I will draw a cock, but she will go and pay a complete stranger to stab her arm with ink in a permanent manner. Is it just me or does that seem unfair. 

To be fair the guy was quite nice and drew this ... 

... And she as write I would have blatantly drawn a cock....

Paul 

Day 308 - Tech support

After the hectic weekend I could have done with a quiet day today, but no back to work at 8 am this morning for a 12 hour shift. 

I was going to edit when I got home but then my mum phoned and I turned from Paul to Tech Support. She has borrowed a tablet off someone to see if it is something she would like and bless her it just wasn't being her friend, and the problem with being 200 miles away is that you can't tell if it's the product or user error (I'm sure it's the product). Add the this that it's an android tablet and I'm an apple guy, hence I'm used to being spoon fed with simple intuitive OS, it made for quite a long phonecall.

Running out of time to take my pic of the day I decided to go with another selfie, and doesn't my beard look awesome!

So will she take the plunge and get this tablet who knows? If she does it's reassuring to know ( for her and me) that I'm only a phonecall (or a skype) away! 

Paul

Day 307 Hollywood to Bollywood

So yesterday I waffled on about the performance Academy that my daughter dances with. Today I introduce you to the face behind the academy, the inspiration behind what the kids (and adults for that matter) achieved today on the stage at the Whitley Bay playhouse.

Ladies and Gents I introduce to you Jayne Nixon....

With her team of merry helpers she has arranged this rag tag group of children (well mine is rag tag anyway) into a team (thats a very important word in this sentence) of performers.

Actually scratch that word team, they are more like a close knit family, who all help each other out and support each other like I said yesterday, and any family is only as good as its mother, and that mother is Jayne.

And now its time to relax!!!

Paul

p.s. I have to add that her hubby is a thoroughly nice bloke too, my car battery was flat when we left the theatre tonight, and Phil gave me a push start to get me on my way.... Thanks!!!! :D

Day 306 - Practice makes Perfect

I spent this afternoon at Erin's Dance Rehearsal.

Erin is a member of the Milly Performance Academy, and they are holding their annual show tomorrow at the Whitley Bay Playhouse (Good tickets still available, actually I have no idea if they are or not so don't quote me on that), and this afternoon they had their dress rehearsal. Its amazing how so many classes can come together to make what is going to be a show that will have all the parents gushing at how well the kids have done. And none of it would be possible without the staff at Milly.
It hit me today how much these people put into their jobs and how much they care for and nurture all of the kids. It is a great academy where the priority is definitely fun and friendship. Thats not to say that they can't dance, they are all excellent dancers, but they don't do it for themselves, they do it for each other, and in this they are hopefully learning not only how to dance and how to put on a show, but also how to be better people as they grow up. Erin loves all her teachers and watches in awe as they perform.

I've promised not to give anything away about the show, but here is a picture of Erin in todays rehearsal.

Good luck for tomorrow everyone, I'm sure it will be a hit....

Paul

Day 305 Lonely Planet

Whilst you were all sleeping last night or being dressed up as slutty versions of everyday people, I was on the beach at Cresswell taking this picture.

Yes I really did go out at midnight on all hallows eve, and went to a desolate car park in the middle of no where, it wasn't freaky at all. It was however totally awesome to be able to see all of those stars, that you just forget exist.

Paul