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<feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-11-21:/</id><title>Mental rambles</title><link rel="self" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/feed/atom/posts/"/><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/"/><subtitle>An endeavour in time wasting.</subtitle><generator version="1.0">MokoFeed</generator><updated>2009-11-21T22:35:33+01:00</updated><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-11-16:/2009/11/16/good-enough-7385799/</id><title>Good enough?</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/11/16/good-enough-7385799/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-11-16T15:32:38+01:00</published><updated>2009-11-16T17:16:27+01:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;My Father worries about me.&lt;br&gt;
It’s ridiculous, but I completely understand.&lt;br&gt;
I pretty much spend all my time worrying about everyone I love as well.&lt;br&gt;
I worry if I’m a good enough Father.&lt;br&gt;
I worry if I’m a good enough son.&lt;br&gt;
I worry if I’m a good enough husband.&lt;br&gt;
I have lots of failings, but I do try.&lt;br&gt;
Hopefully it’ll be enough to keep them all safe.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/11/16/good-enough-7385799/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-11-09:/2009/11/09/family-holiday-7336278/</id><title>Family holiday</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/11/09/family-holiday-7336278/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-11-09T11:20:22+01:00</published><updated>2009-11-09T11:20:22+01:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;My family went on a two-week foreign holiday.&lt;br&gt;
My wife, my mum, my dad, my three children and me.&lt;br&gt;
It was to be a two-destination holiday starting in Sri Lanka.&lt;br&gt;
Although it was a long journey: Mini-cab, aeroplane, aeroplane and mini-bus, it was more than worth it.&lt;br&gt;
It took the best part of a day and a night to get there but my parents were great and my youngest two children were amazing.&lt;br&gt;
Even my teenage daughter was pretty good.&lt;br&gt;
We arrived at the hotel, dazed but happy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/11/09/family-holiday-7336278/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-11-05:/2009/11/05/underground-etiquette-7311504/</id><title>Underground etiquette</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/11/05/underground-etiquette-7311504/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-11-05T11:59:04+01:00</published><updated>2009-11-05T11:59:04+01:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;I loathe travelling on the London underground during rush hour.&lt;br&gt;
It’s not so much the crush or the crowds but rather having to have to deal with the constant rudeness.&lt;br&gt;
The two examples from this morning are pretty normal.&lt;br&gt;
The first was when getting on a train at my regular interchange; everyone standing was squeezed into the doorway areas. There was plenty of room to move further into the carriage, but a few people were blocking access to it.&lt;br&gt;
My requests to ‘Please move down’ where ignored until I was forced to push past them.&lt;br&gt;
The second was when trying to get off.&lt;br&gt;
Those self same people crowded by the doors stood still as statues despite completely blocking the exit.&lt;br&gt;
Why not just step off and then back on again once the way is clear?&lt;br&gt;
It’s not just the ignorance that upsets me; it’s the look of outrage that they should do something to make others lives easier.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/11/05/underground-etiquette-7311504/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-16:/2009/10/16/no-sense-of-direction-7180232/</id><title>No sense of direction</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/16/no-sense-of-direction-7180232/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-16T11:00:47+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-16T11:00:47+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;My Brother has a built-in SatNav in his head. He can navigate through towns, cities even continents without any worry or doubt.&lt;br&gt;
His memory, sense of direction and knowledge of landmarks is phenomenal.&lt;br&gt;
My Father’s the same.&lt;br&gt;
Me?&lt;br&gt;
I get lost turning around.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/16/no-sense-of-direction-7180232/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-15:/2009/10/15/un-happy-birthday-party-7173380/</id><title>(Un)Happy Birthday party</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/un-happy-birthday-party-7173380/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-15T10:09:19+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-16T12:31:36+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;I took my six-year-old daughter to yet another child’s birthday party on Sunday.&lt;br&gt;
Usually these events are an opportunity for the wealthier families to flaunt their wealth and try to outdo each other.&lt;br&gt;
This party was at the other end of the scale.&lt;br&gt;
The family were Japanese and perfectly nice people, but they had hired a hall that was having building works carried out.&lt;br&gt;
The car park was a mess of mud and broken paving stones.&lt;br&gt;
The hall itself was cold with two permanently open exits. Neither of them watched.&lt;br&gt;
They had hired an entertainer, and she was OK, but it was just her and about thirty children.&lt;br&gt;
They were all given large foam balls and plastic hula-hoops to play with and encouraged to run around.&lt;br&gt;
On walking into the shrieking chaos, my daughter turned and begged me not to leave her.&lt;br&gt;
I didn’t.&lt;br&gt;
I wouldn’t of even if she hadn’t asked me.&lt;br&gt;
I watched a dozen children hurt themselves and there were lots of tears and arguments.&lt;br&gt;
How many other parents stayed?&lt;br&gt;
Two.&lt;br&gt;
I wonder what the others were doing that was more important? &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/un-happy-birthday-party-7173380/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-14:/2009/10/14/trouser-accident-7166657/</id><title>Trouser accident</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/14/trouser-accident-7166657/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-14T10:48:16+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-14T10:48:16+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;No, not what you’re thinking.&lt;br&gt;
I sat down on the train on the way home and somehow the armrest slotted into my front pocket.&lt;br&gt;
Annoyingly the distance between the seat, my bottom and the armrest was about an inch too far.&lt;br&gt;
Riiiiip!&lt;br&gt;
Embarrassing but worse, the material ripped rather than just the seam.&lt;br&gt;
One pair of suit trousers ruined and one suit jacket now redundant.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/14/trouser-accident-7166657/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-13:/2009/10/13/wounded-7161209/</id><title>Wounded</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/wounded-7161209/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-13T16:19:14+02:00</published><updated>2009-11-05T12:00:51+01:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;I’m trying to watch less television nowadays.&lt;br&gt;
Just films and programs that catch my interest on the TV pages of the newspaper.&lt;br&gt;
I watched a program on the BBC last night about two young soldiers recovering from horrendous injuries.&lt;br&gt;
Tom and Andy.&lt;br&gt;
Both had lost their legs. One of them had also lost his left arm; the other had been partially blinded.&lt;br&gt;
Their heroism left me sad but amazed.&lt;br&gt;
I truly hope they both live fulfilling lives.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/wounded-7161209/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-12:/2009/10/12/canada-geese-7151783/</id><title>Canada Geese</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/12/canada-geese-7151783/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-12T11:15:44+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-12T16:58:26+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;I was surprised to find a flock of about thirty geese wandering around a school car-park on Saturday. They were in a closed off section, but people could still wander through.&lt;br&gt;
I was lucky as I was on my way to a children's party with my boy and we happened to have some bread with us.&lt;br&gt;
The geese were quite bold and gratefully took the small pieces of bread from our hands. My boy did shriek a bit when the birds got a little too aggressive, but overall he was pretty brave.&lt;br&gt;
We spent about a quarter of an hour feeding them.&lt;br&gt;
Would it be weird to say that it was my favourite part of my weekend?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/12/canada-geese-7151783/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-09:/2009/10/09/on-the-busses-7131466/</id><title>On the buses</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/on-the-busses-7131466/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-09T14:20:10+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-12T11:16:00+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;My children travel to three different schools every morning.&lt;br&gt;
My eldest walks herself to her coach stop.&lt;br&gt;
My youngest gets driven by my wife.&lt;br&gt;
My middle child gets the bus with me.&lt;br&gt;
Initially we considered getting a second car but I was against it.&lt;br&gt;
It would just necessitate me driving back home after dropping her off and I'd be even later for work than I currently am.&lt;br&gt;
The added bonus is that we get to chat and play while waiting for and riding on the bus.&lt;br&gt;
The small walk at either end isn't problem as she gets to run and walk along walls.&lt;br&gt;
Most parents seem to forget how precious this time is.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/on-the-busses-7131466/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-08:/2009/10/08/little-faint-7123705/</id><title>Little faint</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/08/little-faint-7123705/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-08T10:59:01+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-08T10:59:01+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;I walked my daughter to school today.&lt;br&gt;
We met up with one of her friends, her Mum and her dog.&lt;br&gt;
The laughed together and whizzed along on their scooters.&lt;br&gt;
Everything was fine until about two minutes from the school.&lt;br&gt;
The other little girl tripped and fell off onto her hands and knees.&lt;br&gt;
She picked herself up, wobbled and then collapsed.&lt;br&gt;
I ran and gathered her up before giving her to her Mum.&lt;br&gt;
‘Stay with me.’ She commanded her six-year-old daughter.&lt;br&gt;
I stood uselessly holding both scooters, my daughter and their dog.&lt;br&gt;
After about three minutes the little girl recovered with no sign of confusion or injury.&lt;br&gt;
Her Mum told me that it happened whenever she injured herself and sent her through the school gates.&lt;br&gt;
If it had been any one of my children, I would have taken them straight to the hospital!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/08/little-faint-7123705/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-07:/2009/10/07/memory-7116328/</id><title>Memory</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/07/memory-7116328/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-07T11:00:56+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-07T11:00:56+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;I was arguing with a friend the other day about who had the worst memory.&lt;br&gt;
I contested that mine was worse due to all the blows to the head I’d received in my life.&lt;br&gt;
He insisted his was poorer due to all the alcohol and drugs he’d consumed.&lt;br&gt;
We argued for ages.&lt;br&gt;
I can’t remember who won though.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/07/memory-7116328/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-06:/2009/10/06/sugar-sandwiches-7111090/</id><title>Sugar sandwiches</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/sugar-sandwiches-7111090/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-06T15:43:24+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-06T15:43:24+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;Diabetes is a problem in my family.&lt;br&gt;
I recently found myself talking about my health and diet in that regard.&lt;br&gt;
It’s not too bad.&lt;br&gt;
I used to have a sweet tooth when I was younger, but I suspect that it was one of the ones I lost in idiot fights or accidents.&lt;br&gt;
Before that though, my Mum used to treat me with Sugar sandwiches.&lt;br&gt;
Yes they were exactly what they sound like:&lt;br&gt;
Soft white bread, loads of margarine and about half and inch thick with white sugar.&lt;br&gt;
The sugar used to pour out if you didn't keep it level as you ate.&lt;br&gt;
My teeth are aching at the memory.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/sugar-sandwiches-7111090/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-05:/2009/10/05/stones-in-my-mouth-7102718/</id><title>Stones in my mouth</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/stones-in-my-mouth-7102718/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-05T12:32:50+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-06T16:31:17+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;About two months ago I visited my local GP because the inside of my cheek had been bleeding.&lt;br&gt;
The bleeding had stopped but an obvious lump had formed.&lt;br&gt;
I suppose everyone thinks the same thing when lumps appear.&lt;br&gt;
The Doctor referred me to the Maxillofacial dept. in the nearest hospital.&lt;br&gt;
I went this morning, after dropping my daughter at school and got there just in time for my 9.20am appointment.&lt;br&gt;
I was seen quite quickly and sent down to the x-ray dept.&lt;br&gt;
The girl doing the x-rays asked me to remove all metal from around my head and neck area. I told her about the metal posts in four of my teeth but she said that they’d be fine.&lt;br&gt;
After the x-ray I was sent back to the Maxillofacial dept. for a physical examination.&lt;br&gt;
It’s very weird to have someone feeling around the inside of your mouth.&lt;br&gt;
Weirder when the Dr called in his supervisor and she did the same thing.&lt;br&gt;
They were pleased to announce that I’d simply developed a calcium stone in one of my salivary glands.&lt;br&gt;
The bleeding was caused when the stone had torn through the saliva duct and the lump was simply the subsequent scarring.&lt;br&gt;
They couldn't cut it away without damaging the still functioning saliva duct and gland.&lt;br&gt;
It’s not very noticeable and I’m sure I’ll stop feeling it over time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/stones-in-my-mouth-7102718/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-02:/2009/10/02/bobby-7084084/</id><title>Bobby</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/bobby-7084084/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-02T12:41:43+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-02T12:41:43+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;My fifteen-year-old daughter’s got a boyfriend.&lt;br&gt;
Not one of her ‘I really like him, he’s so dreamy’ boyfriends but a real one.&lt;br&gt;
They’ve been seeing each other for several months now and they are obviously serious about each other.&lt;br&gt;
A year ago I would have hated it.&lt;br&gt;
Now… Not so much.&lt;br&gt;
I’m just grateful that he seems like a nice boy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/bobby-7084084/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-01:/2009/10/01/inoculations-eldest-7076689/</id><title>Inoculations: Eldest</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/inoculations-eldest-7076689/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-01T11:46:15+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-01T11:46:15+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;My eldest is nearly 16 and as you’d expect a teenage girl to be nowadays.&lt;br&gt;
There were tears and I hate you’s.&lt;br&gt;
In her defence, she had to have a total of four injections: Two in one arm, one in her other arm and one in her bottom.&lt;br&gt;
She stormed out of the nurse’s office and went home without the rest of us.&lt;br&gt;
She greeted us at the door when we got home and had managed to calm herself down.&lt;br&gt;
I wasn’t angry.&lt;br&gt;
Injections are horrible.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/inoculations-eldest-7076689/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-01:/2009/10/01/inoculations-girl-7076682/</id><title>Inoculations: Girl</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/inoculations-girl-7076682/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-01T11:44:44+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-01T11:44:44+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;My six-year-old girl came in to the nurse’s office after her little brother.&lt;br&gt;
My wife took the boy and my little girl sat on my still warm lap.&lt;br&gt;
“Will it hurt?” she asked me.&lt;br&gt;
“A little.” I replied honestly.&lt;br&gt;
She buried her face in my chest as the first needle went in.&lt;br&gt;
Tears welled up but she didn’t make a noise.&lt;br&gt;
The second injection didn’t seem so bad and she even managed a small smile.&lt;br&gt;
She’s a much braver soul than me.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/inoculations-girl-7076682/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-01:/2009/10/01/inoculations-boy-7076678/</id><title>Inoculations: Boy</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/inoculations-boy-7076678/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-01T11:44:14+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-01T11:44:14+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;I took my youngest in to the nurse’s office first, while my wife waited outside with the girls.&lt;br&gt;
I let him see me have two injections while he sat on my lap and we laughed and joked as I told him I didn’t feel a thing.&lt;br&gt;
When his turn came, he continued to sit on my lap. He was brave and smiling and took the first injection bravely.&lt;br&gt;
It did hurt.&lt;br&gt;
I’d lied to him.&lt;br&gt;
He cried.&lt;br&gt;
I felt awful.&lt;br&gt;
Still, he needed a second injection and although tearful, he took it.&lt;br&gt;
I was proud of him.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/inoculations-boy-7076678/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-01:/2009/10/01/inoculations-a-trilogy-7076676/</id><title>Inoculations: A trilogy</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/inoculations-a-trilogy-7076676/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-01T11:43:22+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-01T11:43:35+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;Another penalty of foreign holidays is the dreaded inoculations.&lt;br&gt;
For some ridiculous reason the various injections had to be carried out over several days.&lt;br&gt;
I didn’t organise it very well as I was nervous about the children seeing each other’s reactions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/inoculations-a-trilogy-7076676/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-10-01:/2009/10/01/dinner-with-my-wife-7076465/</id><title>Dinner with my wife</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/dinner-with-my-wife-7076465/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-10-01T10:59:45+02:00</published><updated>2009-10-01T10:59:45+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;I took my wife out for a meal on Saturday night.&lt;br&gt;
There was no particular reason; I just thought we deserved it.&lt;br&gt;
My parents looked after our youngest two children and my teenage daughter was allowed a few hours alone in the house with her boyfriend.&lt;br&gt;
Regardless of her teenage tantrums, I do love and trust her.&lt;br&gt;
It was really nice evening and a much needed treat for my wife.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/dinner-with-my-wife-7076465/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-09-30:/2009/09/30/first-piano-lesson-7067685/</id><title>First piano lesson</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/first-piano-lesson-7067685/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-09-30T10:21:23+02:00</published><updated>2009-09-30T14:26:17+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;My youngest daughter was practically bouncing as we walked the short distance to the piano teacher’s house.&lt;br&gt;
We were greeted at the door and escorted into the music room.&lt;br&gt;
Looking tiny, she sat down at the enormous grand piano.&lt;br&gt;
A piano that took up the entire space.&lt;br&gt;
The lesson was simple.&lt;br&gt;
Timing, rolls and scales.&lt;br&gt;
My little girl grinned throughout the entire half an hour. Her eyes as big as I’ve ever seen them.&lt;br&gt;
I was allowed to stay and watch and truly enjoyed the end of the lesson where they actually played ‘Fur Elise’ together.&lt;br&gt;
My little girl wasn’t the only one bouncing on the walk home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/first-piano-lesson-7067685/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-09-29:/2009/09/29/jenny-the-dog-walker-7061088/</id><title>Jenny the dog walker</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/29/jenny-the-dog-walker-7061088/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-09-29T10:46:10+02:00</published><updated>2009-09-29T10:46:10+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;My entire family is going away in about a month for a foreign holiday.&lt;br&gt;
The only problem is that it’ll be the first time that our three-year-old dog can’t come with us.&lt;br&gt;
My wife’s mother and brother are unable/incapable of looking after her but I’m loath to put her into a kennel.&lt;br&gt;
A local woman was recommended to me and I arranged to meet her very early on Saturday morning at the rugby club.&lt;br&gt;
She turned up with four dogs but I was surprised to see her limping while we walked.&lt;br&gt;
I was privately concerned but she managed an hours walk without complaint.&lt;br&gt;
I asked her what had happened to her knee and she simply gestured to the dogs.&lt;br&gt;
Apparently a large dog had charged into her, smashing her knee and breaking her other foot.&lt;br&gt;
I was quite impressed with the surgeons who’d somehow managed to replace her entire knee joint while retaining her original kneecap.&lt;br&gt;
More importantly, she was a woman who obviously loved dogs and had chosen her job to suit her nature.&lt;br&gt;
I’ll walk with her a few more times to let my dog get to know her, but as far as I’m concerned, the jobs hers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/29/jenny-the-dog-walker-7061088/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-09-24:/2009/09/24/piano-teacher-7030120/</id><title>Piano teacher</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/24/piano-teacher-7030120/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-09-24T10:54:09+02:00</published><updated>2009-09-24T11:13:00+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;I made my eldest daughter learn the piano. She wasn’t that interested but I made the classic mistake of forcing my child to do what I regretted not doing.&lt;br&gt;
My youngest daughter however really wanted to learn.&lt;br&gt;
I suppose it’s because there is a (really dodgy) piano in the house already.&lt;br&gt;
She taught herself a few tunes and begged me to take her to lessons.&lt;br&gt;
I told her that she could once she reached six.&lt;br&gt;
She reached that milestone ten months ago.&lt;br&gt;
I had a moment on Sunday afternoon where everyone was feeling ill and I could feel time slipping away from us.&lt;br&gt;
Taking my daughter by the hand I walked her to a local piano teachers house.&lt;br&gt;
She starts on Friday.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/24/piano-teacher-7030120/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-09-23:/2009/09/23/meat-for-breakfast-7023612/</id><title>Meat for breakfast</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/23/meat-for-breakfast-7023612/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-09-23T10:56:44+02:00</published><updated>2009-09-23T12:20:28+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;I’m not a particularly big man. 6ft tall and just over 12st but I can’t stand seeing food wasted.&lt;br&gt;
I’ll hoover up any leftovers on the children’s plates and eat any food that is just past its ‘sell-by-date’.&lt;br&gt;
This morning I noticed two packs of sandwich ham and a family pack of Italian salami.&lt;br&gt;
They had both expired the previous day.&lt;br&gt;
My wife is a vegetarian and won’t feed anything past the package date to my children, so I shared what felt like half a pound of processed meat with my dog for breakfast.&lt;br&gt;
My dog was extremely happy but I feel a bit sluggish this morning.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/23/meat-for-breakfast-7023612/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-09-22:/2009/09/22/hypocritic-oath-7016031/</id><title>Hypocritic oath</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/22/hypocritic-oath-7016031/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-09-22T12:24:24+02:00</published><updated>2009-09-23T10:54:53+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;My wife is ill, as are my youngest two children.&lt;br&gt;
My six-year-old daughter pulled the bedcovers over her head and my five-year-old boy didn’t want to go to school.&lt;br&gt;
Considering my constant truanting as a boy, my attitude towards them missing school may seem unfair, but I made the boy go to school this morning.&lt;br&gt;
“Are you really ill?” I asked.&lt;br&gt;
Head down and eyes averted he mumbled back, “A bit.”&lt;br&gt;
“Don’t worry then. I’ll drive you to school and I’ll ask your teacher to call home if you do start to feel worse.”&lt;br&gt;
“How will Mummy come if she’s sick?”&lt;br&gt;
“Mummy will always come for you no matter what.”&lt;br&gt;
After dropping him, I got home to my daughter bouncing on the sofa!&lt;br&gt;
It’s funny how a day off school can make you feel instantly better.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/22/hypocritic-oath-7016031/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-09-21:/2009/09/21/gymnastics-vs-tv-7009073/</id><title>Gymnastics vs TV</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/21/gymnastics-vs-tv-7009073/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-09-21T12:07:18+02:00</published><updated>2009-09-22T12:24:40+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;My two smallest children went back to gymnastics after the summer break.&lt;br&gt;
My boy does 10am – 11am; my daughter does 12 noon –1pm.&lt;br&gt;
It’s annoying that it takes up my entire Saturday morning but the children really enjoy it.&lt;br&gt;
More importantly, it keeps them away from the TV.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/21/gymnastics-vs-tv-7009073/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-09-18:/2009/09/18/scooter-6989420/</id><title>Scooter</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/18/scooter-6989420/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-09-18T10:41:42+02:00</published><updated>2009-09-18T10:43:14+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;All three of my children go to amazing schools. My only regret is that they all go to different ones and none of them are an easy walk.&lt;br&gt;
My eldest walks about a mile to her coach stop. My wife drives my boy and I take my six-year-old girl on the bus.&lt;br&gt;
This seems to work fine, but on Wednesday I decided to walk and let my daughter take her scooter.&lt;br&gt;
Although it’s a long way for a small child, it’s mostly downhill and over half of the journey is relatively safe and away from the main roads. Only one section gave me concern.&lt;br&gt;
Door to door, it took us about 45 minutes.&lt;br&gt;
My daughter didn’t seem to worry though. In fact she loved it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/18/scooter-6989420/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-09-17:/2009/09/17/big-boy-6982622/</id><title>Big boy</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/17/big-boy-6982622/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-09-17T10:34:51+02:00</published><updated>2009-09-17T10:42:25+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;My five-year-old son started year 1 this week.&lt;br&gt;
He looked very smart in his new school uniform.&lt;br&gt;
Grey trousers, grey shirt, grey socks, black shoes, black blazer and…&lt;br&gt;
a pink tie!&lt;br&gt;
Weird choice for a boys school.&lt;br&gt;
Frankly I’d prefer him in jeans and trainers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/17/big-boy-6982622/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-09-16:/2009/09/16/bowling-6977689/</id><title>Bowling</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/16/bowling-6977689/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-09-16T16:57:29+02:00</published><updated>2009-09-17T10:32:44+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;At 10am on Sunday morning, I decide that we should do something as a family.&lt;br&gt;
‘What?’ asks my wife.&lt;br&gt;
‘Why don’t we all go bowling?’ I say.&lt;br&gt;
I phone up the nearest bowling alley and book a lane for 11am.&lt;br&gt;
We all rush to get ready and are out the door by 10.30am.&lt;br&gt;
Even my teenage daughter!&lt;br&gt;
We get there in time and everyone looks natty in their bowling shoes.&lt;br&gt;
Everyone gets a ball for themselves while I go off to organise a pitcher of coke and bowls of chips for everyone.&lt;br&gt;
Interestingly, our personalities where made obvious by our bowling techniques.&lt;br&gt;
My wife and eldest daughter both tried their hardest to win.&lt;br&gt;
My youngest daughter shrugged off any attempt to help her and did it her way.&lt;br&gt;
My little boy insisted on using the ‘ball roller’. This is a device for making bowling easier. (He’s no fool.)&lt;br&gt;
And I tried very hard to let my two youngest children beat me. (This was very difficult as the bowling lanes had the child rails up to prevent gutter balls.)&lt;br&gt;
My eldest daughter won followed closely by my wife. My little ones came equal third and I came last.&lt;/p&gt;
	&lt;p&gt;Honest!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/16/bowling-6977689/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-09-15:/2009/09/15/running-6968280/</id><title>Running</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/15/running-6968280/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-09-15T11:30:13+02:00</published><updated>2009-09-15T11:30:13+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;I went for a run in the fields behnd my house this morning.&lt;br&gt;
I say ‘run’ but it was a staggered affair.&lt;br&gt;
I ran the first quarter and staggered the rest.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/15/running-6968280/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry><entry><id>tag:mendez1.blog.co.uk,2009-09-14:/2009/09/14/getting-love-handles-under-control-6962014/</id><title>Love handles</title><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/14/getting-love-handles-under-control-6962014/"/><author><name>kirky</name></author><published>2009-09-14T16:37:32+02:00</published><updated>2009-09-15T11:26:50+02:00</updated><content type="html">	&lt;p&gt;I noticed that I now seem to be working on another spare tire.&lt;br&gt;
I could live with one but two's ridiculous.&lt;br&gt;
So I've given up white bread and started to exercise.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;small&gt; &lt;a href="http://mendez1.blog.co.uk/2009/09/14/getting-love-handles-under-control-6962014/#comments"&gt;Comments&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/small&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</content></entry></feed>
