Another year over, the new one...about to begin

I was going to write 10 good 10 bad, but I ran out of good things(and some of them are a bit weak) and the bad things kept increasing.... :-)

 8 good

1. Holiday to Florida - the boys loved it!
2. Holiday to Disneyland Paris for the festive season -the boys loved it!
3. Trip to ThomasLand @ Drayton Manor - the boys loved it!
4. Becoming an uncle twice (and a god parent too) to two nieces
5. Raising 325US$ for charity just for growing a beard for 6 weeks
6. Spanish Sahara by Foals - top tune!
7. Getting a cool HTC smart phone
8. Toy Story 3 - almost made me blub!

10 bad

1. Mum in hospital - close call (she's okay now)
2. Death of close friend's son at 3 days old (hence the beard charity work)
3. Passing away of Uncle Harry
4. Nothing published (okay, not been pushing hard this year, mainly 'cos I've not had time to write)
5. Continued weight increase (about somewhere between 1 1/2 and 2 stone - not good)
6. Lots of things breaking down and needing repairing/replacing - car, microwave, washing machine, tumble dryer, bed, porch roof, Christmas tree lights, drainage cover, .....etc etc.
7. Deal to buy a business did get off the ground due to the seller's "odd" behaviour
8. Car crash on way to airport
9. Administrative errors on US customs biometric records - still not sorted an error from 2006!
10. The battery life on my new phone!

I'll probably add and amend as and when I get more time to think about it. Put it this way, this list was thrown together quickly.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Silver surfer!

I sprayed the beard silver for work today, hoping to encourage people to donate to charity.

Unfortunately it didn't encourage any more donations but I'm pretty pleased with the modest amount raised in a short space of time and would like to thank all who were kind enough to want to help children suffering from life-threatening illnesses by donating to East Anglian Children's Hospices.

The donation page is still open for a few more days (i.e. until the beard goes away at the start of ther New Year) - http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarkTowers


I think I said it yesterday, but I'll say it again....MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Cripes, the year has flown by

I think I'll leave the yearly summary until after Christmas. Afterall, there's still another week until the end of the year.

So, as I probably won't get much time to blog tomorrow I'll take the opportunity to wish everyone (and I mean everyone!) best wishes over the festive holiday.

If you indulge in gift exchanges I hope you get want you were hoping for. and if you don't, then don't be too disappointed - you might find it in the sales!

I've pretty much got everything I want and need in life. Married to a wonderful person, and have two of the smartest and beautiful little boys (yes, the same 2 I moan about on this blog), all my original teeth, a house, a job within walking distance and a Football team (currently) in the Premier League.

So, I ask for very little at this time of year, preferring to give instead. If you too also feel you can spare a few pounds at this time of year please donate to East Anglian Children's Hospices via my giving page.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarkTowers

Merry Christmas!

Classic from Ben

As we drove home this evening Ben shouted,"Kiss me, I'm a frog!"

I'm guessing it's from a TV programme or an advert for a movie?

Reminder

it's been a fairly busy blogging week (for me) and as a result the post containing the link to ny charity page raising funds for the East Anglian Children's Hospices (EACH) has been pushed down the page.

For those of you who haven't read that post EACH help children (and their families) who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

Top 5 Favourite Christmas Songs?

Christmas (baby please come home)- Darlene Love
Do you hear what I hear? - Andy Williams' version
Little Saint Nick -The Beach Boys
Merry Christmas Everybody - Slade
I want an Alien for Christmas - Fountains of Wayne

Tell me yours!

Beard side-effect

One the reasons I originally cited for growing a beard was the cold weather. Indeed, that is true. I'm pretty sure that the cold spell influenced my thinking when we returned from Euro Disney 3 weeks ago.
However, there is an unwanted side effect of facial hair during sub-zero temperatures; condensation.

Moist particles (particularly from breathing out through the nostrils!) attach themselves to the beard, making one self-conscious about possible dampness above the lip! It is a perculiar occurence and not one I was expecting.

When I was 21....

It is probably about 15 years since I left my face fluff growing for more than 10 days.

Oddly enough that was before Christmas too - I've probably got some photos of this last half-decent attempt stored away in a shoe box in the loft! Maybe if I get some time spare I'll find it, scan it (because it's pre-digital) and post it on here (or on my sponsorship page.)

Beardy weirdy xmas challenge

Yep -I'm going to impersonate a GCSE Geography teacher by growing a beard for the festive period! All I need is a jacket with leather elbow patches and I'm there!

Actually, I'm using my facial fluff for good. I'm hoping to keep it until the end of the year and in doing so will be raising funds for East Anglian Children's Hospices.

the link to my online donations page is below.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarkTowers

Although I'm adverse to having my photo taken (not many on my blog is there!) I will endeavour to take a few update piccies and put them on here. I've already added on as my profile photo on my donation page.

Nursery Nativity

It was Ben's nursery nativity and Christmas party today.

The little fella was dressed as a one of the three Kings, and it totally suited him - a promotion from being my little Prince!

They sang about half a dozen songs (or in Ben's case a dozen words spread over half the songs) which is was pretty good for a bunch of pre-schoolers.

On the way to nursery he warmed up with a quick sing song of "happy birthday" - As it was not anyone's birthday he sang "happy birthday to nobody" - bless!

Guess what's on my Xmas list?

Family Guy Star Wars It's a Trap - sneak preview



Freakin' sweet!

Footy

Like all honest people of the world I'm totally peeved over Fifa's World Cup decision today.

Giving the tournament to Russia send out all the following signals, including:-

• Human rights records in the host nation are not important
• Racism is acceptable (ditto if it had gone to Spain/Portugal)
• Football fans are not considered when making these decisions
• Hooliganism is okay
• Standards of stadia are not important
• The rules of the bidding process (not slandering opponents etc) are there to be broken (just like Putin and the head of the Russian bid did)
• Corruption/bribery pays off

Great signal to send Fifa!

So, I had to chuckle when I saw this.
http://strayving.blogspot.com/2010/12/corruption-at-fifa_02.html

I think it's time we took our ball (a proper one, not the stupid Jabulani) back and start from scratch with a fair governing body (okay, the FA ain't great but they're better than the rest). this way we won't have idiotic rules made up by some crazy Swiss despot (Sepp Fatter) who has never played the game and doesn't even understand the rules.

Rant over! :-)