If you've read Utter Drivel before then you might remember that I am a fan of The SUMO Guy - Paul McGee. Here's a link to The SUMO website.
I thought I would just share with you his most recent newsletter.
SUMO stands for Shut Up, Move On and is a helpful philosophy to deal with difficulties in life. I used this approach a lot in my last job as a staff welfare officer.
Paul has been working with education bodies and has now launched SUMO4Schools. When working with schools he changes what the SUMO acronym means - Stop, Understand, Move On.
So I thought I would just put this out there for my readers to consider what's going on for you in your life and whether SUMO might help. Do you need to take time to Stop and Understand? What does Moving On mean for you.
Here are some questions to ask yourself.
1. What's going well at the moment?
2. What's going less well?
3. What do you need to do more of?
4. What do you need to do less of?
Moving On can sometimes mean letting go - and this can seem really scary.
And finally - you can tell you're getting old when the phrase "Happy Hour" means time for a nap.
Right I'm off to get my head down for a couple of hours!
Monday, 30 May 2011
Monday, 18 April 2011
Seaside Special
Well it was a lovely sunny weekend in Sutton-on-Sea, Lincolnshire. Never heard of it? It's on the coast (as the name suggests) between Mablethorpe and Skegness.
My brother in law and sister in law live there. They run a high class delicatessen called Espley's.
If you haven't tried it you don't know what you're missing.
One of the highlights of a few days with the "outlaws" is spending time at their beach hut or chalet. I'm never too sure what they are actually called. Anyway, this is right on the "prom" overlooking the beach. The chalet has just had a makeover and is now painted lilac and white.
There has been a spate of arson attacks on the chalets over the past couple of weeks. It must be a nightmare for the people who own one wondering if theirs is going to be next.
Jayne and Irene had a walk on the beach while Ian cleaned out the inside of the chalet and I had a doze on a deck chair.
On 31 January 1953 the east coast was hit by devastating floods. The Sutton-on-Sea flood defences were breached and the High Street and much of the surrounding area was under water. The only thing remaining of the original sea defences is this "Lion Pillar" in the photograph.
In the last few years some major work has been done to reinforce the east coast flood defence system. Most recently at Sutton sand dredged from the sea bed has been piped to the edge of the beach creating a man made slope. This prevents the sea ever reaching the sea wall. Not so much fun but definitely safer.
I guess the holiday season hasn't started yet - perhaps it will get going after Easter. I hope so because it was really quiet. There was a hardly anyone about - the beach in from of the chalet was really deserted.
It's a a tough time for anyone running a business in this quiet seaside town and the recession is really hitting them hard. Here's hoping for glorious summer weather.
If you haven't tried it you don't know what you're missing.
One of the highlights of a few days with the "outlaws" is spending time at their beach hut or chalet. I'm never too sure what they are actually called. Anyway, this is right on the "prom" overlooking the beach. The chalet has just had a makeover and is now painted lilac and white.
There has been a spate of arson attacks on the chalets over the past couple of weeks. It must be a nightmare for the people who own one wondering if theirs is going to be next.
Jayne and Irene had a walk on the beach while Ian cleaned out the inside of the chalet and I had a doze on a deck chair.
On 31 January 1953 the east coast was hit by devastating floods. The Sutton-on-Sea flood defences were breached and the High Street and much of the surrounding area was under water. The only thing remaining of the original sea defences is this "Lion Pillar" in the photograph.
In the last few years some major work has been done to reinforce the east coast flood defence system. Most recently at Sutton sand dredged from the sea bed has been piped to the edge of the beach creating a man made slope. This prevents the sea ever reaching the sea wall. Not so much fun but definitely safer.
I guess the holiday season hasn't started yet - perhaps it will get going after Easter. I hope so because it was really quiet. There was a hardly anyone about - the beach in from of the chalet was really deserted.
It's a a tough time for anyone running a business in this quiet seaside town and the recession is really hitting them hard. Here's hoping for glorious summer weather.
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Goodbye Wellington
This has been a very sad week in our house. We said goodbye to our fluffy cat Wellington. He was born on 11 January 1997 and died on 24 March 2011 - 14 years old is a pretty good age.
Wellington was a Persian Blue Colourpoint. His pedigree name was Toffynose Bluebyou - but we called him Wellington, or Wellie for short, because he had grey/blue markings on his feet just like wellington boots.
His parents were Brujeana Scallywag and Brujeana Meeka Blueorchid. Some of his grandparents and great grandparents were champion and grand champion show cats. That wasn't ever going to be an option for our Wellie because he didn't cut the mustard as a show cat.
So he ended up living with us in Leeds.
He had a particular liking for tuna, cheese and home cooked chicken. I'm not too sure what Morrisons are going to do now that we won't be buying so many of their chicken breasts - they're bound to wonder why sales have dropped so drastically.
We couldn't make toast without him trotting in to the kitchen for his own slice with a good coating of butter of course.
One of his very favourite pleasures was being brushed, and brushed and brushed. Whatever you might be doing he would come up to you meowing and you were absolutely required to follow him to the rug in the front room. There he would flop down just waiting. And the purrs would just start and never stop until you did.
Wellie was mainly a house cat but he did go out on some adventures. In his younger days he used to jump over the back fence and scuttle around in the undergrowth eventually coming home with all sorts of foliage stuck in his fur.
When he discovered that there was life away from our garden we often had to go in search of him when it was time to go to bed. Shouting his name as we wandered up and down the street he would appear from a neighbours garden with not a care in the world as he nonchalantly strolled across the road oblivious to the dangers of any oncoming traffic.
Fun times included chasing frogs around the garden and occasionally bringing one into the house carefully nestled in his mouth. He never once hissed at, scratched or bit any other cat or human.
Our garden seems to be a mecca for neighbourhood cats and Wellie wasn't at all territorial - he would just sit at the door or look out the window as trespassers wandered around his patch.
Wellie was never short of admirers. If he sat at the front door passers by would often stop and comment about him. When the doorbell rang he usually made for the hall stairs and would sit there staring until the caller had either gone or they had come in and he judged it safe to see them.
He wasn't popular with everyone though. My brother (Trevor) doesn't like animals at all. So when he came to visit it was as if Wellie could sense that Trevor didn't care for him so Wellie would be all around his feet and making a nuisance of himself.
On the other hand a number of people would have been happy to take him to live with them, especially Laura, my sons partner.
Wellie had been unwell for a while - he had cancer - so he was on borrowed time. I don't think there is a good way to deal with these things. When one of our other cats (Willow) was poorly we asked the vet to put him to sleep before he became too ill and his quality of life was so bad. We beat ourselves up for that for a long time. Wellie died at home but it was a difficult decision again. He was really poorly, experiencing very regular seizures - the cancer had gone to his brain. So we agonised about whether we should ask the vet to let him go.
In the end nature took control and we were there when he died.
So a fond farewell old chap - have a great time with Willow and Horlicks (our first cat).
His parents were Brujeana Scallywag and Brujeana Meeka Blueorchid. Some of his grandparents and great grandparents were champion and grand champion show cats. That wasn't ever going to be an option for our Wellie because he didn't cut the mustard as a show cat.
So he ended up living with us in Leeds.
He had a particular liking for tuna, cheese and home cooked chicken. I'm not too sure what Morrisons are going to do now that we won't be buying so many of their chicken breasts - they're bound to wonder why sales have dropped so drastically.
We couldn't make toast without him trotting in to the kitchen for his own slice with a good coating of butter of course.
One of his very favourite pleasures was being brushed, and brushed and brushed. Whatever you might be doing he would come up to you meowing and you were absolutely required to follow him to the rug in the front room. There he would flop down just waiting. And the purrs would just start and never stop until you did.
Wellie was mainly a house cat but he did go out on some adventures. In his younger days he used to jump over the back fence and scuttle around in the undergrowth eventually coming home with all sorts of foliage stuck in his fur.
When he discovered that there was life away from our garden we often had to go in search of him when it was time to go to bed. Shouting his name as we wandered up and down the street he would appear from a neighbours garden with not a care in the world as he nonchalantly strolled across the road oblivious to the dangers of any oncoming traffic.
Fun times included chasing frogs around the garden and occasionally bringing one into the house carefully nestled in his mouth. He never once hissed at, scratched or bit any other cat or human.
Our garden seems to be a mecca for neighbourhood cats and Wellie wasn't at all territorial - he would just sit at the door or look out the window as trespassers wandered around his patch.
Wellie was never short of admirers. If he sat at the front door passers by would often stop and comment about him. When the doorbell rang he usually made for the hall stairs and would sit there staring until the caller had either gone or they had come in and he judged it safe to see them.
He wasn't popular with everyone though. My brother (Trevor) doesn't like animals at all. So when he came to visit it was as if Wellie could sense that Trevor didn't care for him so Wellie would be all around his feet and making a nuisance of himself.
On the other hand a number of people would have been happy to take him to live with them, especially Laura, my sons partner.
Wellie had been unwell for a while - he had cancer - so he was on borrowed time. I don't think there is a good way to deal with these things. When one of our other cats (Willow) was poorly we asked the vet to put him to sleep before he became too ill and his quality of life was so bad. We beat ourselves up for that for a long time. Wellie died at home but it was a difficult decision again. He was really poorly, experiencing very regular seizures - the cancer had gone to his brain. So we agonised about whether we should ask the vet to let him go.
In the end nature took control and we were there when he died.
So a fond farewell old chap - have a great time with Willow and Horlicks (our first cat).
Friday, 4 February 2011
Dodgy Knees
Been to the doctors today - and for me that is a rare event in itself. I needed a new prescription for anti-inflammatory tablets for my arthritis. While I was there he had a feel of my knees - you know the thing, moving your leg backwards and forwards checking for wear and tear.
Anyway it seems that there is a bit too much wear and tear in my right knee and he predicted that I would need a replacement before too long. That made me feel really old. Perhaps my body is getting on a bit and has been abused - but I still have the mind of someone younger. I suppose I will have to give it back sometime - bum tish, I thank you!
Knee replacement surgery is quite a routine operation with over 70,000 done in England and Wales each year.
I've become quite attached to my knees - I've had them for almost 58 years. But if I have to have a replacement I've been thinking what sort of knees would I rather have. There are so many to choose from - fat knees, thin knees, chubby knees, knobbly knees.
There are even place names that celebrate the knee - Wounded Knee (USA) , Neasden (UK) and Kneeden (Germany).
When all is said and done I think I will stick with the ones I've got for now - they're quite attractive in a funny sort of way.
Anyway it seems that there is a bit too much wear and tear in my right knee and he predicted that I would need a replacement before too long. That made me feel really old. Perhaps my body is getting on a bit and has been abused - but I still have the mind of someone younger. I suppose I will have to give it back sometime - bum tish, I thank you!
Knee replacement surgery is quite a routine operation with over 70,000 done in England and Wales each year.
I've become quite attached to my knees - I've had them for almost 58 years. But if I have to have a replacement I've been thinking what sort of knees would I rather have. There are so many to choose from - fat knees, thin knees, chubby knees, knobbly knees.
There are even place names that celebrate the knee - Wounded Knee (USA) , Neasden (UK) and Kneeden (Germany).
When all is said and done I think I will stick with the ones I've got for now - they're quite attractive in a funny sort of way.
Monday, 10 January 2011
Happy New Year
Sorry I've been quiet for a long time here on Utter Drivel. To be honest I've been concentrating on a new blog I started last October about my Family History.
Anyway I'm at a loose end right now having taken a day off work after a great weekend in Liverpool. We were celebrating my friend, Steve McDonald's, 60th birthday and visiting some other friends, Joyce and Kevin. So I thought I would do a quick post to let you all know I'm still around.
This is traditionally the time of year when people make resolutions and set goals for the next 12 months. I received my regular email Newsletter from The SUMO Guy over the weekend (see link at the side) and he passes on some thoughts about the subject - see what you think.
Problems are not personal:
Life is not conspiring to get at you personally. It might sometimes feel that way, but it's not. Problems happen to all of us - so ditch the conspiracy theory.
Problems are not pervasive:
Just because you've experienced a setback in one area of your life doesn't mean it will automatically occur in other areas as well. Life has it's ups and downs but in the board game of life there are ladders as well as snakes. The issue is when you're feeling down you can fail to spot the ladders. You can be lured into thinking that everything is going against you. The reality is it's not. But beware. Problems can and do spread if you resign yourself to the fact that they will. So look for the ladders and make sure you put your foot on the first rung.
Problems are not permanent:
They might seem that way at the moment but things can and do change. But how soon that happens will depend on you and your response. Now if you're locked into the disempowering belief that "there's nothing I can do" then clearly things will take longer to improve. So ask yourself the question "How can I influence or improve the situation?" You see, at the heart of that question lies an empowering belief that things can change. Snow melts, ice thaws and problems pass. Remember 'everything is temporary.'
If 2011 is a year when you decide to take action, move out of your comfort zone and quit your excuses then problems and challenges will come with the territory. But that's OK because you will have remembered the three P's.
Problems are NOT: Personal, Pervasive or Permanent.
Hope to see some of you at a Bruce gig before too long.
 |
| Steve McCabe, Steve McDonald and Me |
This is traditionally the time of year when people make resolutions and set goals for the next 12 months. I received my regular email Newsletter from The SUMO Guy over the weekend (see link at the side) and he passes on some thoughts about the subject - see what you think.
Problems are not personal:
Life is not conspiring to get at you personally. It might sometimes feel that way, but it's not. Problems happen to all of us - so ditch the conspiracy theory.
Problems are not pervasive:
Just because you've experienced a setback in one area of your life doesn't mean it will automatically occur in other areas as well. Life has it's ups and downs but in the board game of life there are ladders as well as snakes. The issue is when you're feeling down you can fail to spot the ladders. You can be lured into thinking that everything is going against you. The reality is it's not. But beware. Problems can and do spread if you resign yourself to the fact that they will. So look for the ladders and make sure you put your foot on the first rung.
Problems are not permanent:
They might seem that way at the moment but things can and do change. But how soon that happens will depend on you and your response. Now if you're locked into the disempowering belief that "there's nothing I can do" then clearly things will take longer to improve. So ask yourself the question "How can I influence or improve the situation?" You see, at the heart of that question lies an empowering belief that things can change. Snow melts, ice thaws and problems pass. Remember 'everything is temporary.'
If 2011 is a year when you decide to take action, move out of your comfort zone and quit your excuses then problems and challenges will come with the territory. But that's OK because you will have remembered the three P's.
Problems are NOT: Personal, Pervasive or Permanent.
Hope to see some of you at a Bruce gig before too long.
Monday, 28 June 2010
World Cup Diary Blog #16
Well it's time to come home. We're on the bus on the way to the airport. Everyone's really down about yesterdays performance and exit from WC2010. However a few guys were feeling so sick last night they were still in the wc at 20:10.
At least one consolation for me is that I am not about to get picked on by the press. No game, no cap, no blame - perhaps.
Anyway the early exit means that Mrs D's possible TV opportunity has gone - victim of the programme makers austerity measures - allegedly.
We're still on for Skeggy next week. Might even have a run up to Mablethorpe and the naturist beach at North Cotes a few miles away. Nobody saw me with my kit on in South Africa so people won't recognise me with my kit off in Lincolnshire.
Fabio's future won't be decided for a couple of weeks.
Whatever happens we're back to football business with a friendly against Hungary in August. Then European Championship qualification matches from September. Looking forward to the game against Wales next March. Mrs D told me last night that there is a young lad called Dyfan from some place called Llandybie who thinks he knows what I look like - but he could be getting me confused with someone else with the same name. Maybe I will see him at the game and he can ask me for my autograph - it will be worth a fortune one day.
Thanks for reading my diary - it's been fun writing it for you.
Look out for The Spurs winning the Champions League next season - especially if we can keep Harry at The Lane. Keep your hands off England!!
At least one consolation for me is that I am not about to get picked on by the press. No game, no cap, no blame - perhaps.
Anyway the early exit means that Mrs D's possible TV opportunity has gone - victim of the programme makers austerity measures - allegedly.
We're still on for Skeggy next week. Might even have a run up to Mablethorpe and the naturist beach at North Cotes a few miles away. Nobody saw me with my kit on in South Africa so people won't recognise me with my kit off in Lincolnshire.
Fabio's future won't be decided for a couple of weeks.
Whatever happens we're back to football business with a friendly against Hungary in August. Then European Championship qualification matches from September. Looking forward to the game against Wales next March. Mrs D told me last night that there is a young lad called Dyfan from some place called Llandybie who thinks he knows what I look like - but he could be getting me confused with someone else with the same name. Maybe I will see him at the game and he can ask me for my autograph - it will be worth a fortune one day.
Thanks for reading my diary - it's been fun writing it for you.
Look out for The Spurs winning the Champions League next season - especially if we can keep Harry at The Lane. Keep your hands off England!!
Friday, 25 June 2010
World Cup Diary Blog #15
Well it's been a while - but eventually managed to get some time to write again. The sense of relief in the camp is clear. The performance on Wednesday was much better and the fans responded as well.
The gaffa seems more relaxed - hugs, back slapping and high fives after the game. He has even allowed us to have a couple of beers on an evening. The darts crowd has now taken "Don Fabio's" photo down from the bulls eye.
Upsy Daisy had a good game on Wednesday - some really great tackles and a solid all round performance. Looks like I'm gonna have to wait a while to get my chance. Carra's available again after suspension and Ledley's recovered from his groin injury so the gaffa will have a tough decision who to partner with JT.
Full training session in Rustenburg today. We've been practising penalties - it just can't happen again - can it? We're feeling pretty confident about beating the old enemy - for example do you know about the curse of Eurovision - no country that has won Eurovision has gone on to win the WC later that same year! Here are some more reasons why we're confident Goal.com
Mrs D has kept me posted with reaction and news from home. She watched the game on Wednesday with the cocker spaniels. Funny though how these so called pundits can't seem to agree - see what ScotStevo from Ireland has to say about the coverage from BBC & RTE in the Daily Record
The WAGS at home are all keeping in touch and starting to think about plans for coming out to Sun City. Mrs D's been shopping for new outfits - hope she's got something she can wear in South Africa and Skegness.
I'm a bit concerned that Mrs D is getting into this WAG life too much. There are rumours that she is about to be offered some deal to appear in a TV reality show and I haven't even been of the bench yet - more news about this when she fesses up. She was certainly disappointed not to have been asked to take part in the WAGs "Come Dine With Me" Have to admit all this is making me a bit unsettled. Can't believe she might become more well known and recognisable than me.
No more blogging until Monday - have to focus now.
The gaffa seems more relaxed - hugs, back slapping and high fives after the game. He has even allowed us to have a couple of beers on an evening. The darts crowd has now taken "Don Fabio's" photo down from the bulls eye.
Upsy Daisy had a good game on Wednesday - some really great tackles and a solid all round performance. Looks like I'm gonna have to wait a while to get my chance. Carra's available again after suspension and Ledley's recovered from his groin injury so the gaffa will have a tough decision who to partner with JT.
Full training session in Rustenburg today. We've been practising penalties - it just can't happen again - can it? We're feeling pretty confident about beating the old enemy - for example do you know about the curse of Eurovision - no country that has won Eurovision has gone on to win the WC later that same year! Here are some more reasons why we're confident Goal.com
Mrs D has kept me posted with reaction and news from home. She watched the game on Wednesday with the cocker spaniels. Funny though how these so called pundits can't seem to agree - see what ScotStevo from Ireland has to say about the coverage from BBC & RTE in the Daily Record
The WAGS at home are all keeping in touch and starting to think about plans for coming out to Sun City. Mrs D's been shopping for new outfits - hope she's got something she can wear in South Africa and Skegness.
I'm a bit concerned that Mrs D is getting into this WAG life too much. There are rumours that she is about to be offered some deal to appear in a TV reality show and I haven't even been of the bench yet - more news about this when she fesses up. She was certainly disappointed not to have been asked to take part in the WAGs "Come Dine With Me" Have to admit all this is making me a bit unsettled. Can't believe she might become more well known and recognisable than me.
No more blogging until Monday - have to focus now.
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