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.
Friday, 4 February 2011
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.
Monday, 21 June 2010
World Cup Diary Blog #14
Well Don Fabio has decided that Upsy Daisy has got the nod for Wednesday's game. Maybe he will trip up getting on the plane tomorrow - will see what I can do to help.
Looks like we will be training at Rustenburg tomorrow morning before flying down to Port Elizabeth as we've been told we can't train on the match pitch.
The gaffa has been disappointed by comments JT made to the press yesterday - tensions are running a bit high. Lamps has tried to defuse things today. Just seems like there's a power struggle going on. Decided to keep my head down.
So this might be my last blog for a couple of days. The next one will probably be on Thursday - but where from that's the big question.
Hope you all enjoy the game on Wednesday - we'll be trying our best to put in a good shift and get through the group stage. Don't really want to even think about all the stick we'll get next season if we don't get through. Probably worse than Ronaldo got when he had Rooney sent off - the cheeky winker.
Mrs D said it's really muggy tonight back in blighty. Also she's having a problem with the internet connection, she can't get the wireless to work - it's driving her crazy. Really glad I'm not there. The cocker spaniels are keeping out of her way as well.
Right I'm off to lie in wait for Upsy Daisy and see if I can't help him to have some sort of mishap.
Looks like we will be training at Rustenburg tomorrow morning before flying down to Port Elizabeth as we've been told we can't train on the match pitch.
The gaffa has been disappointed by comments JT made to the press yesterday - tensions are running a bit high. Lamps has tried to defuse things today. Just seems like there's a power struggle going on. Decided to keep my head down.
So this might be my last blog for a couple of days. The next one will probably be on Thursday - but where from that's the big question.
Hope you all enjoy the game on Wednesday - we'll be trying our best to put in a good shift and get through the group stage. Don't really want to even think about all the stick we'll get next season if we don't get through. Probably worse than Ronaldo got when he had Rooney sent off - the cheeky winker.
Mrs D said it's really muggy tonight back in blighty. Also she's having a problem with the internet connection, she can't get the wireless to work - it's driving her crazy. Really glad I'm not there. The cocker spaniels are keeping out of her way as well.
Right I'm off to lie in wait for Upsy Daisy and see if I can't help him to have some sort of mishap.
Sunday, 20 June 2010
World Cup Diary Blog #13
Training behind closed doors today. I tried to close and lock the doors before Matt Upsy Daisy got there but his team mate Greeny dropped the key at the last minute. So I will have to come up with some other way to make sure he's not available on Wednesday. Only one more training session tomorrow.
Lamps has his mind on other things at the moment however - Chrsitine Bleakley just secured a transfer from BBC to ITV. She's more in demnad than he is. What has that Chiles bloke got anyway?
Heard Harry Redknapp on Radio 5 this morning saying that Upsy Daisy was probably ahead of me in Fabio's thinking simply because he was selected originally. Lets just wait and see.
There's a full squad meeting tonight with Fabio and the management - don't know what it's about though.- probably summat to do with football. We'll probably watch the video of the Algeria match and have an open and frank discussion. Hopefully nobody will be sent home like Nicolas Anelka.
Let's not forget other countries are struggling too - remember France, Germany and Italy. All have had unexpected results.
We go to Port Elizabeth on Tuesday and play at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 3.00pm UK time on Wednesday - our WC could all be over by 5.45pm. Hopefully my mates at the Leyburn Cricket Club will be taking the day off work to watch the game.
Lamps has his mind on other things at the moment however - Chrsitine Bleakley just secured a transfer from BBC to ITV. She's more in demnad than he is. What has that Chiles bloke got anyway?
Heard Harry Redknapp on Radio 5 this morning saying that Upsy Daisy was probably ahead of me in Fabio's thinking simply because he was selected originally. Lets just wait and see.
There's a full squad meeting tonight with Fabio and the management - don't know what it's about though.- probably summat to do with football. We'll probably watch the video of the Algeria match and have an open and frank discussion. Hopefully nobody will be sent home like Nicolas Anelka.
Let's not forget other countries are struggling too - remember France, Germany and Italy. All have had unexpected results.
We go to Port Elizabeth on Tuesday and play at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 3.00pm UK time on Wednesday - our WC could all be over by 5.45pm. Hopefully my mates at the Leyburn Cricket Club will be taking the day off work to watch the game.
Saturday, 19 June 2010
World Cup Diary Blog #12
Not good headlines in the press today - as we expected. The gaffa read us the riot act last night. We all know the performance and the result were not good enough. Everyone who played tried hard but things just didn't work out for us.
Surprised to hear the fans jeering us after the game - especially since the boss said that we wouldn't be having any booze while we were here. Just goes to show he doesn't know everything.
Spoke to Mrs D after the game - she said that most of the WAGs are keeping their heads down for while. Although a couple have already sneaked into South Africa Mail Online
Carra getting booked might turn out to be good for me - really now hoping I will get a game on Wednesday - but I probably won't find out until just before we leave for the ground..
Still keeping options open about Butlins at Skegness. If we have an early exit from WC then we will save some cash as Mrs D won't be coming over to South Africa. With the money we save we can upgrade to a Premium Gold Apartment.
Spent the day in Cape Town relaxing and meeting fans around the city - trying to build some bridges.
We're on the bus right now and expect to get back to Rustenburg about 11.00pm. Everyone's a bit quiet - it's really weird.
Start work tomorrow on getting things right for Wednesday.
Surprised to hear the fans jeering us after the game - especially since the boss said that we wouldn't be having any booze while we were here. Just goes to show he doesn't know everything.
Spoke to Mrs D after the game - she said that most of the WAGs are keeping their heads down for while. Although a couple have already sneaked into South Africa Mail Online
Carra getting booked might turn out to be good for me - really now hoping I will get a game on Wednesday - but I probably won't find out until just before we leave for the ground..
Spent the day in Cape Town relaxing and meeting fans around the city - trying to build some bridges.
We're on the bus right now and expect to get back to Rustenburg about 11.00pm. Everyone's a bit quiet - it's really weird.
Start work tomorrow on getting things right for Wednesday.
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