Karl's Random Rambling.

Well…what a year was 2009, eh?

3 house moves, 7 months of utter stress in flat #2, the hellhole.

Started the year owning a P reg Astra, had it totalled by an idiot, ended the year in an X reg Astra with an M reg as a backup.

Started the year recovering from pregnancy mishap, thinking “no more kids for a while”, ended the year with a beautiful daughter.

Moved from one old work building to a brand new one.

and many other smaller things to boot…it’s quite shocking when I look back at it! Overall, I’d class it as a win..I was annoyed with losing my much loved and looked after P reg, but the X reg isn’t a bad car either. The N reg was..a trying experience, we’ll see what 2010 brings there.

The last 6 weeks have been the longest of the year…so much changes when you have a child, and so quickly! I’m thinking differently, planning more, being more careful, looking ahead and working towards it, and..well..it’s given me a whole new outlook on things. PCs? Technology? Good, yes. All-important? Hell no. Family first, no arguments. Not just new members, but family in general..I have a list of things I intend to do this year that I’m not about to disclose (otherwise I’ll get nagged at, heh). I’m looking forward to getting stuck in there.

One BIG sad event this year was the loss of my grandmother, at a good old age. A definite character who looked after me when I was in and out of surgery, and taught me a lot about how to “make do and mend”, and not succumb to the modern “throw away” lifestyle. She probably didn’t realise it mind. I wish she’d had the chance to meet Isabel, I really do. I never expected to have kids, what with one thing and another…but she’s here, she’s healthy, and I’m still the genetic oddball of the family, so it’s all good.

What i shall be doing is telling her all about nan, and trying to encourage a similar attitude. I have several bits of nans furniture that’s been well used for the last 50-60 years, and bar a few repairs will almost certainly outlast me – you just don’t get that quality anymore.

As to the whole 2000-2009 decade thing…I remember sitting watching the millennium celebrations with Tom and Seal after coming back from the Benbow and thinking “Millennium dome? Waste of time”. It still is. In 2000 I was single, I owned a C reg banger, I was working 3 jobs part time, sleeping until midday most days, and doing 3am-7am connect 4 rallies at Riks house, followed by breakfast at the excellent Dinky’s Diner in Shrewsbury. Living at home, bumming around living a relaxed life, and spending Sunday nights at the excellent New Inn with Rik, Lynn, Bod, Cheryl, Tom, Seal, and occasionally Anthea and/or Phil.

I then started a 9-3 job at Madeley Court, I met a lot of excellent people including Jem, and things started to settle a bit. Fast forward to jem and me living at mums, then moving out to our first flat in Jackfield..then from there to Clarendon, and the rest as they say..is history! It’s taken me to a place I couldn’t have predicted back in 2000..and what a place it is. Have I changed? Oh yes.

However, I’m hoping to at least partially regroup the old team for another meal and drink at the New Inn..some things just HAVE to be done. I’m looking forward to catching up with people 10 years on…and so help me, if I can find Seal, I’m going to give that man a big kiss, because damn it all, I’ve missed him. All I’ll say, and I’ll only say it once…thank god for Facebook and Social Networking..I’ve reconnected with so many old friends, it’s quite scary! :)

So..there we go…damned if I know what 2010 will bring, but bring it on..

Well….what a fortnight. WHAT a fortnight. There’s no other way to sum that up!

First, to close the last entry off, my ECU came back repaired a few days later..Bluestreak Europe are god. No arguments, they were perfect from start to finish. The X reg lives again.

The blue one is at mums, on ramps awaiting my attention. Thus far I’ve found the exhaust to be a total bodge..bolts? No. Cable ties and ceramic cement hold it together. I’m shocked. The Brake lines that were “done” look like spaghetti…really shit job there. The pedal now goes to the floor..it’s not right.

Further investigations are on hold though, as after a 12 hour labour, and the longest and scariest night of our lives thus far, Jem and I have been blessed with a baby daughter! Named Isabel, she’s taking all of our spare time right now. I’m taking a fortnight paternity leave to support Jem and bond with them both..it’s great – Burping, nappies, changing, feeding, washing…it’s all good. Even when she won’t settle and we’re up to 5am, even when she’s giving the lungs a good workout, it’s not so bad.

Mum and daughter are doing well…Shrewsbury Hospital and Bridgnorth Maternity – I can’t praise them enough. The care and reassurance we were given before, during and after Isabels arrival was immense. We wouldn’t have coped without it. Driving Jem to there I can recall..crap weather, bad night, 4 minute contractions and 20 miles ahead. Good fun. After that, it’s all hazy. I know I was asleep on my feet come the delivery, and Jem was utterly exhausted.

They’ve been home for 6 days now. It’s truly nice to have everyone “home” safe.