A strange few days, where I felt I have always been on the go. It is only this evening, four days into the working week, I feel I can actually sit back, relax and take stock. What have I been up to? I was over in Birmingham on Tuesday and Wednesday at a conference organised by one of our suppliers. Therefore just two days in the office this week, but only Monday counts as I had a two hour client meeting over in Ali G country (Langley) this afternoon. However, before anything else I must start with a confession. I failed on Wednesday. I did not get onto any fitness equipment after work. Although I did make it to the gym itself but only upstairs in the restaurant. My colleague had persuaded me to drop the workout in place of a good meal before being the designated driver for the evening. I would pick him up and then another colleague and head into Maidenhead town centre to catch the second leg of the Champions League Semi-Final at The Bell. (A devout Liverpool supporting establishment – remember I went there back in February for the Arsenal AC Milan match). It was full with people with only a handful of patrons brave enough to don their blue shirts from London. It was difficult to find a good spot, with most views restricted. We headed up standing behind one of the pool tables (most had been covered up) and watching LCD screen which must have been around 28″. However, as the pub got busier, our view got restricted so we moved to the side and watched a small television but it was at such a tight angle it was difficult to get a perspective on play. At half time, during a fag break (yes my colleague stick hasn’t given up!) I recommended we try Chicago Rock Cafe down the road. It was perfect timing, fifteen minutes before we would have been charged. It was quieter and we could watch the big screen but only from the other side of the bar. Much better than in The Bell. Although my colleague kept asking me to confirm how much time had elapsed as he couldn’t make out the details with his poor eyesight. It was perhaps the most distant I have felt while watching a game in my life. The atmosphere was rather dull, no one really seemed to care or be that bothered by it. When Drogba sealed the win, to make it 3-1, we left to go to the Ivory Lounge. This used to be Bar 38 (and my one and only previous visit was for my ill fated 21st birthday). It has been converted into a trent?? classy and sophisticated bar and restaurant. Completely out of place in Maidenhead. After one last drink for the road, we headed to my car and I dropped everyone home. To the corner of Cox Green, Boulters Lock and then Twyford before driving home to walk through the door at 11.30pm. I was completely shattered but still jumped on my laptop to check my e-mail and find out the latest on Facebook before finally going to sleep around midnight. Pav put together my paint thickness report and sent across a jpeg on e-mail yesterday. The original hand written sheet had got quite grotty with footprint marks, oil marks. So I scanned it in at work and e-mailed it across and Mr. K provided me with a clean copy. However, unfortunately the results for the passenger door are out by quite a margin now. Oh well, it could be much worse. Talking about the car, I must mention yet again Carlack 68 Glass Sealant. On my drive back from Birmingham on Wednesday afternoon, it was a torrential downpour. However, I only used my wipers three times. At highspeed, the water droplets just fly off the windscreen. It is great to watch but you obviously get a few strange looks from other drivers wondering why this idiot in the black A3 has not put on his wipers. Now, just need to find the addicitve to add to the windscreen wash.

What are your plans for the Bank Holiday Weekend? Considering that this time last year I was looking forward to our trip down to Looe in Cornwall. This year the events are much less dramatic but nevertheless good wholesome fun. I have taken tomorrow off. In the morning I am going to get a few jobs done in town before heading into Reading. Lunch with a few friends and then heading to the Beer Festival. (A return of sorts for TFNTP) Crashing over at Pav’s then Saturday I am going to get a few jobs done, clean the car and maybe even mow the lawn. I also need to give my room a good clear up (don’t I say that every weekend?). Sunday afternoon we have quite a lot to pack in, the last home game at Ashburton Grove against the Toffees. Then off to the gym for an extensive workout. In the evening I’m heading over to Windsor and Havana. Should be a good night as a bunch of us are going and Mr. Stevens is on the decks! Monday will involve another gym session and going to watch Ironman at Vue, Reading at 6pm (because it is shown in my second home – screen 4) although that is yet to be confirmed as Crystal Detail are working on a Mini on Sunday. Some of you out there must be watching the second season of Heroes on BBC2 tonight. Of course, there is no need to for me to watch, as I have seen the whole season already thanks to Pav and NBC. However, I have now discovered that season three will premier in September. So therefore the countdown starts here. I am not sure if Pav is looking forward more to seeing the continued adventures of Hiro and Peter Petrelli or Teg struggle to download the DivX file at 4Kbit/s!