Happy Holidays

So you work for 6 months without a break ending in a 76 hour week (which includes finishing at 17:00 on Friday), you then drive for 15 hours over two days, including a 9 hour 700 mile day, arrive at our destination and get laid up with an very think cold for 3 days!

Note to self never go 6 months without a holiday, its just mad. I am so tired and so clammy and achy, its just not funny.

I need to review my plans for next year, and ensure that I have regular breaks.

Tomorrow it’s the short trip to Carcassonne, only 550 miles!

I will need a holiday when I get home!

No Wich alone

Those of you who know me will know that I hate being in the house alone, so the prospect of Belle being in Norwich was not a nice one, so how fortunate that thanks to my team I was in the office until 21:40, and was still working at home at 01:20!

It is a mix of that last week before holidays, to much to do, and some very disappointing deliveries over the last few days.

I am sure we are make progress, but things must improve, and November will be an interesting test, as I am not going to be able to chase things for a week.

I believe that one of the signs of a good manager is that their team runs well without them, using that scoring system, I am not doing well!

It feels strange to be looking to increase responsibility into a team that is not coping with their current duties, but it needs to be done, and will be a test of them and me.

The next 12 weeks will be defining for many, and make or break for some.

Four more days and 48 hours of work to finish, wish me luck!

Back after a busy week

Its been a busy week, however it has not been that stressful. This blog was always meant to be cathartic, and if I am not hyper, or nothing interesting has happened there is nothing to say.

The last few days has been ok.

Tuesday was our anniversary, and Belle cooked up a fabulous seafood meal with salad, and a bottle of 04 Calibre, it was very nice. It was made better by both being home by 18:20, eating at 19:30, and then watching the da Vinci Code on DVD. I know it was not everyone favourite film, but it was a good relaxing watch.

The working week was busy, but felt more in control, I am not sure if that was because I am more in control, because it was an easier week, or because with my confirmation letter and pay rise last week I feel more confident.

Saturday saw a trip to MK which resulted in us buying a new picture for our lounge as a joint wedding present. It is lovely and is the first new picture in over 2 years! We then drove down to London to see Russell Howard. He was fantastic, and it was a lovely Anniversary day.

Sunday dawned with sun and wind, and we went on the first of our Sunday bike rides. I want to know if 1 hours ride burns more calories than a pork pie and prawn sandwich (which was lunch). A relaxing weekend finished off by catching up on some TV.

This next week has its own challenges, its new acquisition staff reviewing, to produce the at risk lists. These people could stop working for us 2 days before Christmas, meaning an important process, must be performed perfectly.

Its also that pre holiday week, were you have to get everything finished, or handed over, and given how busy the team is, I have to make sure I don’t give them to much to do.

Finally, a Happiness is the Road update. A friend told me to listen to it a few times and it would grow on me. He was right, most tracks take a bit of getting used to, but once you do they are good on the ears. I am sure they will get a good run through on the way to Spain.

2-1 to the Supert Foxes

Football can really get the blood flowing, and Saturday was incredible. It was looking like yet another one of those games where we huffed and puffed but just could not score. What is frustrating is that it took what should have been a sending off to get the team going.

The final 10 minutes (inc injury time) was helter skelter, and saw two Fryatt goals, and with just seconds left we were in the lead. I could have run back to the car, the adrenaline was really flowing.

So to the team review (assisted by Lizsara)

Henderson – 6 – Looked a bit nervous on his return, but generally had an assured game
Hobbs – 4 – Agreement that he really looks out of his depth at this level. He managed to crock 2 of the opposition, but his heading and positioning was shocking
Berner – (Sub 75) – 6 – Good overlapping and we looked a better team in 3-4-3 formation
Tunchev – 7 – Won every header, and looked assured at the back
Kisnorbo – 6 – A couple of dodge moments, but is forming a good partnership with Tunchev
Mattock – 7 – Flying overlapping full back, with some great crosses
Gradel – 2 – Rubbish, over confident with the ball at his feet, and cowardly in the tackle.
Adams – (Sub 63) – Was the first catalyst to the 2nd half improvement, needs to take on his man a bit more, but generally solid
Oakley – 6 – Some strong tackles, but also some poor tackles
King – 1 – We now know why he is on the pitch, it is to make Gradel and Hobbs look good.
Dyer – 5 – Looks good, but seemed to have lost his speed, some poor passes, not his best game
Fryatt – 8 – 83 minutes of nothing then, scored the two important goals (which were from his only two chances)
Howard – 5 – Won lots of headers, unfortunately he never found one of his own players
Hayles – (Sub 66) – 6 – Pulled the defenders about which created space for Fryatt.

Saturday evening was a good evening, although we went through 5 bottles, which resulted in Drips being a bit sick (little weight).