...are floating in the summer sky'
And they're floating to mark 99 days of Craig's Challenging Year! Now it's been an unforgivable 19 days since the last post, an absence I can only put down to sheer lack of focus. I could lie and pretend I've been queuing for the X Factor or watching the entire series of dodgy 80s Aussie soap, Sons and Daughters, but what the 'eck, I've just been a bit shit!
I know, I know, this is exactly the sort of lethargy that I've allowed myself to be overwhelmed by for much of my life and one of the driving forces behind starting this whole process to begin with. It's not that I've forgotten the blog or that I haven't got anything to write about (it's never stopped me before), it's merely been a succession of 'I'll do it later's and 'I can't be bothered's . However, I'm not going to beat myself up too much about it as Rome wasn't built in a day and I recognise that reprogramming 37 years (ouch, it hurts to type that number) of being me, to turn me into a risk-taking, spontaneous, go-getting model of almost Germanic efficiency is going to take more than 99 days. In addition beating myself up is up there with eating biscuits at work, starting every sentence with the word 'sorry' and hitting myself round the head at work with an inflatable stress bat as things I'm trying to give up. So there!
In the meantime, BIG thanks to The G for naming and shaming and demanding I get back to posting.
Now those of you expecting hilarity are going to be disappointed, so feel free to jog on. Today I am a do-er rattling through tasks like Danielle Lloyd gets through footballers, so nonsense and tomfoolery shall be kept to a minimum, thank you very much...in addition to which I spent yesterday afternoon with Mr Wright so have used up all my best jokes.
Instead, with the big 100 days looming, it seems like a splendid opportunity to reflect on progress made thus far. Here tis:
1. Abseil down the Royal Liverpool Hospital (Michelle) - Not achieved. I believe this is taking place in October. Can you resend the details, please Michelle
2. Run 'Racing the Planet - Jordan' in May 2012 (Iain) - Not achieved. I have contacted the organisers but haven't heard back. Must chase.
3. Attend the Biathlon World Cup at Holmenkollen, Oslo in 2012 (Ingrid) - Not achieved. Flights have been checked out, but nothing booked
4. Attend the Biathlon World up in Antholz, Italy (Ellen) - Not achieved. Hmmm, not going too well this
5. Take part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race (Rachel) - Not achieved. Eek!!!
6. Complete an Ironman Triathlon (Jimmy) - Partly achieved. I haven't done an Ironman, or even a full triathlon, however I did take part in the London Triathlon relay, as part of Piggy's Trotters and set a morale-boosting PB or 38:51 for 10km. Can I have that one??
7. Find Sister Wendy's caravan (Katie) - Not achieved. Awaiting dates from Mrs Walker
8. Visit Louis Tussauds' House of Wax in Great Yarmouth (Katie) - Not achieved. Awaiting dates from Mrs Walker
9. Speak Portuguese, badly, to strangers in Festa (Helen) - Not achieved. Holiday to Portugal postponed for financial reasons e saving for flat
10.Attend Florence's 1st birthday party in Cornwall (Alex). Achieved. At long ruddy last, achieved, achieved! OK, not the most taxing of feats, but I have made two visits to Bristol to see my gorgeous Goddaughter.
11. Win a pub quiz (Kat) - Not Achieved. Pop quiz sourced via Charlotte and taking place next week
12. Survive a night out on the town with the Birmingham Cougars (Juanita) - Not achieved. Must chase Juanita on this one
13. Experience the maritime delights of Portsmouth (Jon) - Achieved. Thanks again to the splendid Mr Way (hope Eastern Europe was good)
14. Set up a blog about your challenges (Helen). Achieved. Although general tardiness has abounded in August
15. Be a tourist in London (Helen). Achieved. A splendid day with the G and all done in pac-a-macs
16. Get up on stage and sing (Helen). Not achieved...although have had two hours in Lucky Voice with The Mands
17. Break a World Record (Kate). Not achieved. Need to give this one some thought
18. Invent something (Kate). Not achieved...unless words count.
19. Flirt with a stranger every day for a month (Kate). Partly achieved. OK, so I haven't flirted with random strangers for 31 consecutive days, but there must have been 31 individual flirts that have occurred. I am getting better at this one
20.Learn to play happy birthday on the banjo (Kate) - Not achieved...but enquiries into sourcing a banjo are underway
21. Visit Ellie & Jay in Spain (Ellie) - Not achieved - and Mr & Mrs Walker have not departed Espana
22. Truly believe how FAB you r (Amanda B) - Partly achieved. As time of writing I believe myself to be significantly 'fabber' than I did 99 days ago. Big thanks to everyone who's boosted my ego in this time
23. Complete a Charity Challenge in Guatemala (Rachel) - Not achieved. There's a trend here with overseas related tasks, namely that I haven't done them! Flat comes first, challenges to follow. Is that fair?
24. Attend Sophie Ladds' Hen Night (Katie & Sophie) - Achieved. Details to follow, suffice to say it was magnificent!
25. Learn to juggle / do magic tricks / make balloon animals to amuse Florence on her birthday (Alex / Caroline) - Achieved. Details to follow
26. Take part in the MacRide cycling challenge (Bernadette) - Not achieved. Sadly this event clashes with another work event, so is a definite no-no
27. Learn to love dogs (Jo. D) - Not achieved. Progress has been made with dogs (Riley the lab is as cute as a button)
28. Learn circus skills (Kat W) - Not achieved. More thought needed on this one
29. Buy a flat in Putney (Suzie) - Not achieved. A project plan has been developed and saving is underway
30. Come and visit me in Bath you bastard (John) - Achieved. And another splendid weekend had
Therefore, I can declare the following number of votes cast is as follows:
Achieved (Conservative) - 7
Partly Achieved (Labour) - 3
Not Achieved (Liberal Democrat) - 20
Hmm, c.27% of the way through the year and c.23% of tasks fully completed. Methinks I'm slightly behind schedule. However, there have been some marvellous achievements, most notably whizzing round the country visiting wonderful people, seeing amazing places and amassing some tremendous memories. In addition I've smashed my 10km and Half Marathon PBs, lost some weight, gained some money and got promoted (kinda)...none of which I'd achieved for at least seven years. There have been some setbacks along the way - alcohol consumption has gone through the roof, sleep has gone through the floor and if I'm totally honest I've shed more tears in the last five months than in the last 35 years (probably), but all things considered I think I'm most definitely on track. That is largely down to all of you and many people who don't read this blog or even know it exists and for that and so many other things I thank you all dearly, for if nothing else these past few turbulent months have made me appreciate what truly what wonderful friends I'm fortunate enough to have. However, its equally largely down to me cos it's my life to shape as I see fit and all in all I have a splendid life and I'm doing a pretty good job.
...there, not sure I could have said that last sentence 99 days ago. And that my friends, is progress
Right, nonsense, tomfoolery and general bad jokes will return next time. Promise
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