So, it's finally here

Yup it's Hogmanay.
Since the last post, one of the people I was talking about cutting out of our lives, has shown themselves up to be a really nasty piece of work, which means the guilt that I was talking about in the earlier post isn't even an issue now.  She's gone.  History.  We'll never be in touch with her again.

The only downside is that her husband is a really genuinely nice guy, so I have no issues with seeing him again, it's just that it's probably not going to happen now.  Then again, she does drive him to drink, and damn if he doesn't like his real ales, so he's obviously well aware of just what she's like.  The fact that he has lots of friends, but she doesn't, can't be lost on him.

Anyway, whatever happens, happens.

So here's some resolutions for the New Year.

1.  I've cut out the deadwood.  Don't let it grow back, and be wary of introducing more.
2. Try to cut the coffee intake down just a little.  I was drinking a shitload at work, and was usually on my fourth by about 10.00am.  Not good.
3. Keep the company of people who make me happy and who (hopefully) I in  turn make happy.
4. Get outdoors more, and actually get the tent I bought two years ago christened.  Even if it's just the wee campsite at Sallochy, just get it used.
5. Eat less crap.  Don't need to lose weight particularly, just need to not snack. Can't lose weight or my kilt won't fit!
6. Excercise.  Bit more running, and try and go climbing/bouldering at least once a month.  Even if it's just the wee traverse wall at the work.
7. (The easiest one) Cycle to work as much as possible.  Only bin it if there's snow/ice or the wind makes it dangerous.  Rain isn't an issue when I've waterproofs.

And that's that.  If anyone reads this, Happy New Year to you when it comes.

Thank <.. insert diety of choice .> that's over for another year

Don't get me wrong, I like Christmas.  What I hate is how commercial it's all become.  It's all about separating you from your hard earned money.  It's not like we're not bombarded with adverts trying to do that the rest of the year, but at this time it's full on relentless.

Now that Christmas is over, the pre-Christmas "buy this or your don't love your family/friends" type ad is gone.  Now it's "you're house is obviously a pig sty, so buy a sofa, but you've only got till New Year" type of ad.

The pre-Christmas scrum in the shops in town are over, and it's three days after the big day, so most of the gift voucher spending should be over too.  That makes it reasonable safe to venture out again as you should be able to get about without the use of a chainsaw to cut a path through hordes of zombie like shoppers.

Roll on Hogmanay, when all I have to do is raise a glass to the (pretty shite) year that's leaving us, and welcome in the new beginnings and opportunities that the New Year will hopefully bring.

Favourite part of the holiday season

Today, Christmas Eve, is my favourite part of the holiday season.  It's the day I go to see It's a Wonderful Life at the cinema.  For me it's the best part of Christmas.  It's a million miles away from the commercial scrum that this time of year has become, and that's refreshing.

Before that though, I still have to ice my cake.  The marzipan was put on yesterday, so once it's iced, it's good to go.  The coeliac friendly cake for Karen was made yesterday, and it's all ready for her.  Dinner is pretty much sorted as well, just need to make a sauce, which will take me about half an hour, so that can wait till tomorrow.

I'm just waiting for the switch to flick on the tv ads, where they go from "last minute Christmas gifts" to "Sale starts Boxing Day".  When I was a kid, I remember the sales started in January, and if you had got any gift vouchers for Christmas, it was a case of being torn between buying that book that you really wanted, or waiting till the sales and maybe getting it cheaper.  Now everything is last minute discounts BEFORE Christmas, and big sales the day after.  It's all about parting you from your money now, and there's very little of the magic of Christmas left.

We have ways of making you enjoy yourself

So, with just over two weeks to go to THE BIG DAY(tm), the shops are in full SPEND SPEND SPEND mode, and the pubs are emphasising FUN and PARTY, and I'm thoroughly sick of it already.
Seriously, I'm looking forward to Boxing Day and some semblance of normality (sales excepted).

I've got two do's to go to, the main departmental one (which as per usual, I'll go to for the meal, then sneak off and meet a few colleagues who will also escape (or just not attend) in a pub of choice for a drink, where we don't have to be witness to people we work with pretending they actually like each other, and "dancing" like loons as they slowly (or rapidly in some cases) get wasted.

The other do is the one I prefer.  There's a few of us in a lottery syndicate, and we always go for a Christmas lunch and drink, just the five of us.  This year, it's been hi-jacked, as someone who can't make the main do has been invited - which is fine - and has then asked others along - which is NOT fine.  I've even been asked "Are you going to Bobby's do?"  WTF!!  It's not his, it's ours, and it's been hi-jacked.  I'm seriously considering not going, as it's going to be a pain having to smile, joke and laugh with people I don't want to be in the company of.

Like I said, roll on Boxing day.

Planning the resolutions

I don't normally do New Year resolutions, as lets face it, most people (myself included) find it hard if not impossible to stick to, and so with that in mind, my resolutions for the 2014 are going to be practical and do-able,

I'm in the planning stages at the moment, but watch this space.

Bit windy

The weather in Glasgow is a bit.....blustery today.  Winds of up to 95 miles per hour expected, no trains running at all, and part of the glass roof of Central Station has come crashing down, resulting in the station being evacuated.  Not that it makes much difference since there's no trains anyway.

It was torrential - and horizontal - rain when I left the house this morning.  Standing at the bus stop, a car was crawling along the flooded road, when a flatbed truck undertook it and soaked everyone standing at the stop.  On the upside, I now know that the waterproof trousers I bought for hillwalking, do what they're supposed to.

It's just over a week to go till the work Christmas night out.  Hope the weather isn't as bad as this.