Christmas excess

As always, big build up and then it's all over and done with.  No it's not what you think, I'm talking about Christmas.

Bearing in mind my son Oscar has his birthday just 12 days before Christmas, the volume of prezzies he receives is suddenly huge.  The lounge and living room is groaning with different types of cars, lorries, car transporters, car parks, books, teddies....you name it....we could start a toy shop with all this variety.  Grateful to all that have been generous with gifts for his birthday and Christmas, but we now need a bigger house to accommodate the sheer volume.

Christmas day was spent with my wife Jo and her family at her sisters' place.  There was a slight hiccup of the oven failing at the most crucial point...when the turkey was in.  So mother-in-law to the rescue, and with a short drive to her place, she finished off the cooking in her oven.  A delightful Christmas dinner ensued, with the table replete with festive goodies.

I'm sure this kind of arrangement happens up and down the land, especially when there are two sides of the family to consider - repeat performance on Boxing Day, with an equally lovely Christmas dinner with my family this time.  End result - indigestion tablets to ease the pain of gluttony.

Oscar with his two nephews Josh and Dan...and after a hard day's playing with my sister Nessa.

Ho Ho Ho

On Wednesday me, Jo and my son Oscar went into town to visit Santa and yes, another photo opportunity...

Santa's enthusiasm was as usual zealous and full of ho-ho-ho's.  Oscar was a little shy at first with this new experience.  Who is this stranger with a long flowing beard bearing gifts?  And why is he saying ho-ho-ho all the time?  But he quickly warmed to his kindess and happily told Santa that all he wanted for Christmas was a car.

The one and striking characteristic I noticed about Santa was that, this year, unlike ones before, he looked skinnier.  Ageless, but skinnier.  You see, even Santa isn't immune to the economic downturn.  Even the omnipresent has to be thrifty sometimes.  Oh Santa, we need that belly back.

Back in time

It was time to travel once again.  This time to Scarborough.  I town I'd never visited before, but with anticipation and a feeling of excitement, for it was another chance for me and other radio "nerds" to gather and mull over the state of the radio industry, share stories, and drink and eat until we collapse.

The hotel in the brochure looked quite desirable, but upon further inspection, quickly resembled a shabby, unkempt, unloved ramshackle of an ex-Butlins hotel that hadn't seen a lick of paint in many generations.  It reminded me of the Inbetweeners movie where the teenage idiots arrive at their so-called hotel to discover a dead dog being pulled from the well by the hotel manager...."this isn't what it looks like in the brochure", they cried.

The hotel clientele were mostly elderly, and in the lounge area, it looked like God's waiting room with a plethora of hair pieces and dentures.  While I was happily drinking and talking to other nerds, I noticed an elderly woman scouring at me, with a constant look of disapproval on her face, as if I was uttering the most obscene language.  I think that was just her normal facial expression.

The single room I booked was the cheapest, yet had spectacular sea views of Scarborough beach.  Friends had spent double the amount I did, only to occupy a basement room with no windows and no view - where's the logic there then.

After having spent very little time sleeping in my hotel bed, I crawled down to the breakfast area to be greeted by a sea of blue rinses, miserable faces and a strong smell of burnt toast in the air.  YEP, it was time to eat a budget DIY breakfast out of a trough.  Before I could sit down, an unfriendly member of staff abruptly asked me "Have you got your ticket?"....."um, no, I left it in my room"....."Well, how am I supposed to know you're a paying customer.  You should have your ticket with you at all times!"  Grunt, Grunt.  Trying to be smart, I replied "Surely, my hotel door key is enough to tell you I'm a paying customer?".   I feel I'm becoming cantankerous in my old age.

Hello Autumn

There is now a distinct chill in the evening air.  I think it's now time to re-consider my wardrobe attire as the weather is turning decidedly colder.  I'm trying to hold out as long as possible with the simple jeans and t-shirts but from a man who is now "feeling the cold" more than when he was a 'youf', jumpers and fleeces might have to be brought out.  Likewise, when you contemplate a little blast of heating morning and night just to "take the chill off", you know there's no going back, and it's central heating on until springtime 2013!

Me, Jo and Oscar have recently returned from a budget holiday in South Devon, courtesy of my parents.  They live in a lovely tranquil area near Kingsbridge.  A garden with a fine view of Frogmore creek and a slipway at the bottom of the garden into the tidal creek - very peaceful. This was always a constant source of fascination and excitement for Oscar.  For me there was always the dread of him falling flat on his face on the concrete slipway as he ran excitedly to meet the ducks and swans waiting to be fed....again.

Quality time spent with Oscar at a nearby beach as well.  Sitting in puddles is what he loved best, but here he is during one is quieter serene moments, albeit brief.....

Don't forget to check out my business facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rogerclarkevoiceovers. Spread the word.

"Blink and you'll miss it"

It's been a week of mixed emotions...

Last week summer finally arrived in the UK, albeit brief.  Me and the family decided to take advantage of this small window of opportunity to go to the coast.  The clouds parted, and off we went, dog in tow, to join the cues of other optimistic British seaside revellers.  The first thing the dog did when we arrived at our sandy destination at Mudeford was dump in front of some other beach-goers.  Faces of disgust as she curled a steaming one out.  Think she'd been holding this one in for quite sometime.

With all body wet suit on....not me, Oscar, he paddled and splashed without hesitation into our biting cold English Channel, seemingly unaware of the chill.  I, like a big kid...NOT...did as much as dip my toe in.  Too early in the year for full body immersion.

On Wednesday I said farewell to my sister Nessa, and the kids, Josh and Dan who were bound for Chicago, US early on Thursday to stay for the next two years.  My brother-in-law James, having been poached by the Americans wanting his talent in the business world is already out there supposedly getting the apartment ready for family habitation.  Probably just sat around in his undercrackers drinking lager and consuming large portions of meat just like his new American neighbours.

So to mark the farewell, we had an obligatory family bbq at my other sisters' house. Thoroughly enjoyable afternoon followed by photo opportunities and a few tears shed as we said our goodbyes.  

Nessa's in the middle with my wife far left, mum to the left, my sister Cilla on the right.

Communication between here and the otherside of the Atlantic never gonna be a problem for those family chats, as I've now invested in a cheap webcam.....Roger...last of the big spenders.  "Short arms and deep pockets"....That's me!

Me and my tractor

So far this month the weather has well and truly gone according to the typical calender.  On Sunday, me and the family saw the small window of opportunity of some drier weather to have an afternoon out at a farm just off the A303 in Wiltshire.  Goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, hamsters, tractor rides were all enjoyed, much like Big Barn Farm on cbeebies.  I know too many programmes on this channel thanks to Oscar's control of the remote.

The family day on the farm was also had the obligatory expensive cafe where you get little change from a tenner, and that's just soup and a small roll.

Hint - next time, bring your own lunch (and get big bear stares from the staff)

"Don't stop me now"

Back on the radio last Friday for first time in a while, and such fun! (as Patricia Hodge would say in comedy 'Miranda').  I've always had the passion for radio, and any opportunity that comes my way, I relish.  It's like puting on an old pair of slippers...reassuring and familiar, but with that added edge of excitement you don't get from a pair of dog-eared worn footwear.

Recently my son Oscar has ventured outside (not alone) on his 'smart trike'.  His confidence is growing leaps and bounds, although he hasn't quite mastered the art of peddling, but I'll put that down to his age.....and legs not actually reaching the pedals.  Now he's walking properly, unlike the tentative stagger like a drunk a few weeks ago, he just wants to walk everywhere now and be independent.  The idea of him being put back into his push chair is met with fury and loud decibel screams, so walking it is....veeeerrry slowwwwly between shops.

Walkies (part 2)

Since the last update, Oscar has started walking more confidently, and in an instant he's from one end of the lounge to another.  However in the last week, he's now mastered the staircase with confidence.  Is there no end to his ability and confidence?  So lots of praising and standing close behind him to prevent a tumble all the way back down the stairs!  Some good progress made with Oscar's development I think.  The dog is now looking even more terrified.

How remiss of me to forget to say about my recent driving experience.  Last month I applied for some shift work as a delivery driver for a well known company that supplies groceries etc. I passed the interview with flying colours, however when I took the driving assessment, it was a whole different ball game.  Bearing in mind the only experience I've had before of driving a 3.5 ton van is for occasional removal stuff, I was less than confident behind the wheel.  I managed to clip the kerb forward and back when attempting a 3 point turn.  I also drove alongside a static van too closely.  I didn't even realise it was there!  The subsequent feedback was "Roger is classed as a high risk driver with a lack of observational skills".  So there you go.  Never to be let loose again at the wheel of a van.  Don't ever ask me to drive your van for you.  It'll probably end up in a ditch or in someone's front garden.  Nem mind - we have to try these things.  Move on.

Walkies

As parent to Oscar, now nearly 15 months old, it's another milestone reached when I can proudly say he's started walking.  At the moment, he's quite tentative.  He manages to walk from one end of the lounge to the other, with his hands raised above his head to sort of balance himself.  It's more of a stagger than a walk.  Mummy says he walks like Daddy "after a few".  The dog is not happy that he's even more mobile and even quicker....and before you ask, no she's not for sale.....she's quite a content dog....when he goes to bed.

The week has mostly been spent stuck in the studio (spare bedroom) voicing for clients, so quite productive.  It can get very hot in such a confined space, with all that electrical equipment.  Oscar's sleep pattern allows me a good two hour slot most afternoons to concentrate on voicing scripts, which is handy.  I've been talking about pharmaceutical matters for a corporate video.  Basically, "you just wanna get some cream for that"......always seems to be the answer when you pop to the docs or the pharmacy.   Well, whatever the symptoms, there's always one of two solutions:-

Either:-

"You want to get some cream that rash.  Apply twice daily.  It'll soon clear up".

or

"Pop up on the couch.  Let's take a look at you".


....Easy diagnosis every time....Who wants to be a doctor?

Disco...great beat mate.

Well, upon my return from Sheffield last weekend, well and truly drained, and also in the financial sense, the partying resumed on Saturday night, as it was my sister-in-laws 40th birthday bash at the nearby Rugby Club.  I was the elected driver for the night, which actually wasn't a bad thing, as I was close to needing a liver transplant anyway from the previous night's decadence.

All piled into the club, to be greeted by salty snacks and sugary treats.  There were two blokes spinning the decks, largely playing 70s disco tracks at volume 11. Tinnitus here I come.  I can honestly say, without exaggerating that I've never heard so many Earth, Wind and Fire tracks in one evening as last weekend.  It really was like an E, W and Fire theme night.  Too much of a good thing?

The wife strongly advised me to remain seated at all times, as my dancing skills are less than desirable.  See other people's attempts...

The hand movement really helps to make you look extra cool on the dance floor.....um.

Later on, the music was bordering "naff" as the Dutch pop act "Starsound" or "Stars on 45" as there otherwise known, sang that Abba medley set.  Those medley's you used to be able to buy from a well-known high street store, now no longer, are an ideal excuse for not doing proper dj mixing, as the music is already blended to within an inch of its' life.  This of course gives the now redundant dj's lengthy time off to sink pints of lager, or even go out and do the weekly shopping, come back, and the music's still playing.  Easy money!

So for me, not the greatest health recommendation...shouting above the music two nights in a row, does wonders for my vocal chords...not great in my choice of vocation.

Nerd night

Filled up with petrol, overnight bags in the boot, a couple of mates in the car (friends, not the rubber version!), and we were on our way to the steel city that is Sheffield for another edition of "radio nerd night".  Every three months or thereabouts, a number of radio legends and me gather to discuss the latest radio gossip, favourite play-out systems, "dry idents", jingle packages and other fascinating subjects.  As a famous presenter says "No one else, nowhere else"....as we discuss such incredibly dull topics but with much enthusiasm, helped by the intoxicating liquid.

Before the "nerdage" began, me Matt Barton and Dave Woollatt took the opportunity of wandering the streets of Sheffield while there was still daylight.  Very often, in previous nights out, we turn up knackered, sleep a bit at the hotel, then best dresses on for the evening out. Sheffield's a bustling place, and characteristic, still with many red brick buildings from the post-war era.  We had a wander around the Park Hill estate, originally built in 1961, but has seen better days.  The intention was to demolish the site, but demolition was stopped as it's protected by English Heritage.  So, much of it was renovated in 2010, with the original shell still intact.  Quite an eerie feeling standing in the car-park area with the flats, mostly empty all around.  All I needed to see was tumble-weed blowing in the wind.  These terrific photos were taken by Dave Woollatt.

Nearly got run over by one of these.....

I had to lean sufficiently forward as my head would look disembodied otherwise.  Puting the world to rights with Martin Emery.

An all-you-can-eat for £7.99 full fat fry-up the following day rounded off the short stay wonderfully, and reversed the feelings of nausea.  Until Birmingham...for the next stop.

Birthday parties and then some....

This time of year is replete with kids birthday parties.  Namely all the little ones from the ante-natal clinics that the wife and I attended.  "All popping out" at near enough the same time has brought about an endless stream of baby sensory parties.  Ask me a year ago what "baby sensory" meant, and I would have been puzzled like a puzzled thing.  Baby Sensory provides visual development activities that are supposed to be fun for babies and parents.  Like a big kid, I gladly took part in blowing bubbles, waving the coloured flags and "flapping around the big ball on the canopy".  (Your mind - I know what you're thinking....filth)  I think the parents were having more fun than their little ones, who were distracted by poking each other in the eyes, and shuffling off to cause trouble somewhere.  After several of these sugar-filled 1st birthday parties, I think I need a diabetes test from a well-known pharmacy.  Bring on hyperactive.....mums and dads.

Birthday cake in the early stages of development....