Third Day of the Weekend

Yesterday was somewhat bizarre in that I woke up convinced that it was Monday. I wasn't awake terribly early, but due to having Friday off I had a nagging feeling throughout the day that somehow I should have been working that day.

Today I was, in fact, actually working as it really was Monday. Slightly tedious, undoubtedly, but it has to be done.

The main thing about Mondays though is that it's not the first work day, it's football day! This was not to be, however. While we all assembled at the five a side pitch, it appeared that we would not be playing. The person responsible for the floodlights wasn't. Instead, he decided that he'd ignore us waiting in the dark, ready to play. He would even ignore us when we said we were waiting and offered our receipt as proof of this.

In the end, no football. But on the upside, an earlier evening and more of it to be enjoyed at home.

Four Day Week

So I've taken this Friday off - hence why I'm writing this at a lazy 1pm and not being at work instead - as time off in lieu for working last Saturday.

Overall, it's been a successful week. Not a great deal has happened, which is good considering I was expecting to be rushed off my feet with unexpected issues! I played football again, in the snow, which was needed considering that I want to kick-start my exercise regime once more (What exercise regime? I hear the crowd cry).

Also poker last night, which was fun as always. I came in a respectable second place, very consistent as that was also where I finished the first month. I'm definitely getting better and playing more aggressively - however, I need more practice on final heads-up as I have been tame here two months in a row and unable to drive home an advantage despite being comfortably up on chips.

So far today I've done some sorting out of old things lying around my room, which was overdue. This weekend will be filled with exciting things such as ironing and the like - all of which are overdue!

Normally Timed

So this evening was the first I got home at a 'normal' time for nearly two weeks. This sounds either like I'm a workaholic or a crazy socialite.

In fact, the truth is neither, or a bit of both. Two of those days I was late because of football; twice because of random pub trips and once due to a meal out after work. The other three were, admittedly, work related late days, but there you go.

This Thursday I will be staying late for poker. However, that's it for the week, as I'm only working a four-day week. I have Friday off in lieu after working last Saturday. Three day weekends help to balance out one day weekends!

Full Weather Collection

Tonight I completed my collection of weather types that I've played football in. Having previously persevered through baking heat, gusting winds, torrential rain and biting cold, today I added the final piece to the collection: driving snow.

To say it was surreal is an understatement. To turn around and suddenly be unable to see because you have snow coming at you is odd when playing football. To see the ball leave a trail in the snow on the pitch is extremely odd.

Overall, it was good, if only for the entertainment factor. I must admit that I somewhat tempted fate on this by reciting the first part of this post prior to playing, when I thought the snow had stopped. I was wrong.

How Not To Park

So this evening while waiting for a bus, I witnessed an odd yet hilarious scene unfolding opposite me.

Some member of the public, in all their genius, had parked their Landrover right in front of the entrance to the small parking area of a taxi firm. There was a small gap through which they could squeeze out a car. This in itself is amusing, considering the amount of times you will find taxis parked in bus ranks, the road, and generally in the way.

Unsurprisingly, the taxi drivers were not best pleased at this. So they got two people carriers and parked them extremely close either side of the intruding vehicle so it would be unable to leave. In the process, as well, they hit the Landrover. At this point, by way of irony, they had managed to completely close off the entrance to the parking area.

This entire scene was played out right before me to my great amusement - you almost wanted someone to have been planting it for a hidden camera show. The drama concluded when someone wanted a taxi to somewhere, forcing a driver to use one of the two blocking vehicles and ending the blockade.

Return of Routine, Featuring Pain

So this week I was back to playing football once more. I think the last time I must've played was early December. Since then lack of numbers, holidays, snow and lack of numbers once more have prevented any further opportunity of play.

So it's about six-seven weeks since I last played. To put it mildly, it showed. I was not in my best form. I don't really have a best form, but whatever I have, it was a long way below it.

It's a start, though. Playing regularly tends to get me slightly more used to it, both physically and in terms of being able to kick the ball in the right direction.

Better Day

So after several days of frustration at work, which I won't go into, today was a better day.

As a natural planner, I struggle to deal with more random events if I don't put them into a grand plan. If I don't understand how the plan exists - I create a different plan that fits the events, which often is nowhere near the same. This causes difficulties.

Awkward Tribute

I try to avoid overly downbeat posts. However, after reading on Facebook about the death of someone I knew from school, it felt extremely callow to do anything but write about that, especially as the other subject would be complaining about my day.

It's always surprising and shocking to hear of anyone's death. Let alone of someone your own age. There's not much really to say of someone I didn't know that well, but was always nice and friendly when I did ever talk to them. The only thing to say is rest in peace, and may whatever you believe comes after death come to you.

The other thought that is associated with this is the sad lament of the trend towards jingoism. Fay was working in Afghanistan for a charity when she died - fortuitously (if there is ever a way to more misuse a word) of natural causes. You hear on a near daily basis the salute to 'heroes' of troops who die in Afghanistan. The newspapers are filled with tributes to them. Yet nothing on this.

Anyone who willingly puts themselves in a place like this to help others is just as worthy of the label 'hero' - if not more so.