WEll well, Who's a clever boy then. Guess who get Grade 1- outstanding lesson today in their observed lesson?

It's been a long day. Not being in the best frame of mind to begin with didn't help, but all that planning (and wine) paid off. I got a 1. Outstanding lesson. I hope it wasn't out of sympathy.

Parents evening went OK, but it was just so bloody long. I got home after nine. Then I chatted with my OH and her brother. He's a bit angry about something, but I'd reather not go into that.

There is more to say but I am tired and it is late

DId I mention I got an outstanding on my lesson observation?

Inspired by AJ's inspiratin from Sminchin.

What did I blog one year ago?

Well actually the post was friends only, but I think I will post it here again in general seeing as the people invovled will probably have forgotten.

SO, for the first time in public in blogland
CJ's post on the 29th November 2005

I seem to keep upsetting people at work.

There is an art teacher who I went on the school trip with who, just after the trip had overheard me tell someone else that I had learnt nothing about art (being a mathematician I dont really understand a lot of arty farty stuff). Anyway she took offence at this and complained to her HOD about it -who told her to get a grip as I was obviously joking- which I was. the problem with me is that sometimes I say things which I think is funny before I think about it.
Anyway, the same person today said about me (and another male member of staff) "Ooh you both look smart today" with which I replied "Well someones got to keep up the standards" Once again I think she was offended by this- perhaps she thought I was having a go at her choice of clothing- which admittedly is a bit scruffy (I just presumed it was an artist thing!)

There is aother member of staff who was getting a bit flustered with the new photocopier so I called out "everything alright there?" Which I think she got offended by, as I was smiling when I said it. I thought she'd take it better but she came up to me afterwards saying "I wasn't stressed with the photocopier, I just dont like it when it's picked on" Fair enough; I apologised for which she said "It must be a man sense of humour thing I don't understand!" and walked off in a huff. I should feel bad about it but I dont, because a couple of months ago she did exactly the same to me when I was getting stressed about something!

Perhaps I should keep my mouth shut.

Nah... Can't see that happening. i'll just continue to put my foot in it.

Firstly, I think it is important to state now that I have started the red wine already.

Secondly, I got a phone call at 12:15 last night to say that she was nearly there. Just a few hundred yards according to the SatNav. I am glad that bitch is good for something (The SatNav that is). So she has got there safely.

Thirdly, when I got home tonight I phoned her straight away. She is with her brother and have spent today chatting and walking the dogs (I think that is very therapeutic). It seems they have a taken a trip to the doctors to get something for her brother. She soounds very sad but that is only to be expected.

Fourthly, I am here alone. And I have to plan a lesson for an observed lesson tomorrow. But it isn't Ming this time, who has been very pleasant to me of late. This time it's my HOD (I remember when I used to be a HOD). So I have that to worry about tonight too. And prepare. It is for my year 7 group and they're not that great. I hope it goes OK.

Fifthly, Nearly sounds like filthy. {snigger}

Sixthly, I have a parents evening tomorrow night, so I wont get home til late. At least I wont be home alone all evening. I dont really think I'm in the mood for a parents evening, but even less so for an observed lesson.

Starting to get nervous now. I should be hearing from my OH soon. I hope everything is OK. I haven't heard anything for about an hour and a half when I got a phone call from a confused OH near Bridport asking if she was going the right way. Oh dear.

{Nervous pacing and twitching}

News from the M27. She has made t to the services on the M27. Woohoo. The journey is going well.

Okay in my last post I said that my OH had ofered to go down tonight but her brother nad said he didn't need her to. Actually in the phone conversation, he really wanted her to go. I had said before to her that she should offer and he wanted her to go tonight she should; that it ws the right thing to do. He asked her if she could go tonight.

And now she has gone. She is driving by herself on her own at night and she doesn't really know where she is going. I have given her maps and directions and there is always that bitch we lovingly refer to as the SatNav.

And now I am alone. and sad and worried and feel like a shit because I haven't been there for her and have made her go tonight when she didn't want to.

Damn, I feel worse now

Just a quick post while my OH is on the phone. She is talking to her brother. She offered to go down there tonight to keep him company, but he didn't want her to. I am quite relieved because it is a long journey and she doesnt drive well in the dark on her own going to a place she doesn't really know.
She will drive down in the morning.
Her sister in law died in the early hours. In fact the phone call came just after I had left for work this morning, so my OH had to cope with it and I wasn't there for her. She died of cancer, and after last night we knew that it was inevitable.
She had a mastectomy in August and then the doctor gave her at least another five years, but it seems the cancer had been in her bones.

Just got home tonight. She died in the early hours of this morning. My OH is beside herself.

She is pacing

Things are not looking good. My OH will be driving down on Wednesday-but it might be too late

We're still up, and normally we'd be in bed by now. But we are waiting to hear if there is any news from the hospital.

A quick word about Myleene Klass. Sure is pure Klass. And a fine figure to boot (Not that I would like to boot it at all). I am sure tonight's Soap task was purely designed for her! But I don't mind

A quick update.
My OH has called her brother but wasn't on the phone for long. He had been called to the hospital which may not be good news. She phoned the other brother who is going to visit him even though he is an hour away. My OH is distraught that she can't so anything. She thinks she may have to travel down on her days off during the week. He said he will call later tonight with any further news

Why oh why is it so hard to book an appointment to get your eyes checked?
I have recently had two letters asking me to book an appointment, and these letters both state the fact that if Idon't the contact lens company may decide to cancel my contract and terminate my supply Now that sounds like a threat to me. So already I've got my hackles up. I don't take kindl to threats. I reckon they would get a lot further with me by offering me a bribe like "If you book befoe a certain date you get 10% off the eye exam." Why threaten me with terminating the contract? Don't they want my business? Am I not the customer?

Anyway I have tried all day to phone them (When I could) and they were always engaged. So the only thing I could do was use ringback. Which eventaully did happen. And then I tried to book an appointment. And I like most people I imagine, can only really get an appointment on a Saturday. And here is the conversation...
ME: I would like to book an appointment
She: For an eye exam?
Me: Yes
She: When for?
Me: Saturday
She: I'm afraid there are no appointments this Saturday with the optician.
Me: Oh. What about next Saturday?
She: No he isn't in. I can book you in the following Saturday the 16th.
Me: Okay
She: I'll just check your details.....
{Pause}
She: You know you are due to have a contact lens check as well
Me: Oh OK. I would like to book an appointment for that too.
She: Of course, when would you like it?
Me: On the same day
She: OH I am sorry but the contact lens optician is not in that day. But he is in the following saturday on the 23rd.
Me: OK I'll book then
She: Except the other optician isn't in then.
Me: Is there any day where I can book both appointments on the same day.
She: Not on a Saturday no.

Thankfully I was able to book a weekday appointment for after I break up, otherwise I would have had to book two appointments on different days or risk the threat of having my contact lens supply ceased. It's nice to know that this a customer led society.

OK. Today is our twelve year anniversary. We have just been having a little intimate celebration when my OH has a phone call from her brother. His wife is seriuosly ill in Hospital with Cancer and may not make it.

My OH is devastated

I would like to thank all of you that commented on my 'Tenacious CJ and the list of zero deviation' post about me getting a few surprises. I have now taken your dvice and deviated from the list. ON the list it has described in great detail a pair of shoes that she wanted. But on your suggestions to get her a surprise, I have chosen a different pair that I think look nicer.

Thanks guys

OK A quick blog to chat about all the telly stuff.

X-Factor
IN order of preference based on tonights performances I liked...
Leona ... by far the best
Ben... doing very well and could possibly win. If it weren't for Leona he would be my favourite.
Eton Road... Who I am beginning to like in a quirkiy way
Macdonald brothers... Sung quite well, but I knew that they would end up doing a proclaimers song. They looked very good tonight.
Ray- Not a great performance. I wouldnt buy his records. Although he would do well in musical theatre- if they ever make "The Munsters the musical"

And I think Louis is getting more and more childish with his comments every week

Lost
I finally managed to see last Sunday's double episode for Season 3. WOW! What are those others up to? they keep saying they are not the enemy... so why are they keeping them locked up. I enjoyed the Sawyer/Kate stuff (Quite funny) and I am looking forward to seeing how they get out of their predicament.

Torchwood
Also managed to see Last week's episode, Countrycide. What a fantastic episode. Real back to basics, adventure and thriller. Loved the tension all the way through. I take it those villagers were human and doing it just for fun. YUK! Great stuff though. Best episode so far

I'm a celebrity....
Still watching this. It is good stuff, but I am surprised that Scott went last night. I was expecting Lauren to go! I hope Myleene wins

Eastenders....
An they have been cleaning out the old rubbish in the square..... Pauline is about to burn to death (Maybe) She was last seen stroking her furry friend in the bedroom (That's her dog!) whilst Martin runs around like an idiot (No change there then)

and now for a book review.
I have just finished reading James Rollins Map of Bones and it was bloody great. It is similar in a way to Dan Browns stuff. The main characters, a special forces team known as Sigma team, have to follow a set of clues to lead them to the Bones of the Magi and the secret power they possess. Their trail leads them around the Seven Wonders of the world, and they are racing against the Dragon Court, a mysterious old sect (Opus Dei anyone?) who will do anything to get hold of the power themselves. Well worth a read!

ANother wild and fascinating excerp from the house of CJ

I was dancing round the kitchen the other night with my OH, who was making me sandwiches. ACtually she wasn't originally going to make sandwiches for me, but seeing as she had been co-erced by the neighbours to make sanwiches for the guests staying at the B&B, I asked her if she could make me some for work as I thought it would be quite novel to see what eating lunch was like. When I say asked, i actually mean begged, (I can do puppy dog eyes very well). I was getting quite excited because it was going to be cornation chicken sandwiches, unfortunately there was not enough chicken for the guests and me, so I ended up with cheese! Grrr! damn those guests and their expensive tastes

Anyway back to the dancing... We were having a little boogie to Blame it on the boogie. And when it got to the chorus "I just can't control my feet" I decided to do some bizarre feet dancing. IT was then that I got a cramp in my toe (Does anyone else ever get that- it really is quite bizarre) and I stumbled.
My OH looked at me and said "You really can't control your feet, can you"D

I went to town early this morning. I thought I would try to get to the barbers before the rush, as my favourite barbers are very veryy popular. I got there at 5 to 9, and ther were already three people queueing! Damn the pbulic for knowing that they are good as well!

SO I decided to try some christmas shopping- presents for my OH. Now most of you know the system from last year, but I get given a list of things that she would like and it is a good idea to stick to it (Hence the Title). So armed with my list I jogged around the shops. I managed to get a few things, so I feel a bit better about not starting earlier. After all, Christmas day is only a month away.

I did notice it was very windy this morning, especially when you try to go through an underpass- those thins are like bloody wind tunnels. It was hard enough for me to struggle against the wind (Being a hefty and masculine James Bond type) so I had to pity the poor little old lady who was having no success trying to walk through! Being the gentleman that I am, I smiled at her and walked on by, after all I wouldn't want to insult her by offering to help- because that would be rude!

Anyway, on the way back to the car I noticed that the barbers was a bit wuiter so I managed to get my hair cut after all. So all in all not a bad morning.

At the moment:
Doing: My blog and thinking about lunch
Listening to: A Five star album
Planning: Whether on not to go and see Flushed Away or The Santa Clause 3

It's Friday night and I soo need a rest. Glad it's the weekend. I have had quite a good day today, which is a relief after yesterdays shenanigans. My year 10 class, who were rotten yesterday, were good today (One of them even apologised for their behaviour )

And it's three weeks until Christmas Hols. I cannot believe that it is so close to Christmas. In fact this time next month it will be Christmas Eve. Where does the time go? I haven't even thought about Christmas presents (Although I have noticed that my OH has been leaving little hints around the place; subtle things like leaving the Argos catalouge open with a post-it with big writing that says "These look nice")

My mate phoned tongiht which was good. We have arranged to go out next Friday night (The night after a parents evening- so I hope I stay awake) Apparently my other friends ghost walk went well- it's a shame I couldn't go.

I hope everyone is having a nice Friday Evening.
Oh and Welcome back Scoffle

Ever wanted to complain, but were to shy? Why not call the complaints choir of Birmingham. They will sing it loud for youD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w84qzHdEms

My First real love....
After reading Sminchin's blog it started getting me thinking about my first real love. It was at university, and we were together for a couple of months and then she just disappeared. No-one knew where she disappeared to, not even her family. I had tried a few times to call just in case they had heard from her, but I never managed to get in contact with her until after I got married. In fact she had heard that I was trying to reach her and had tried to call me. However I wasn't able to talk to her much because my OH was with me in the room. I couldn't really ask all the things I wanted to ask. But I did find out she was with someone new, and when she found out I was married she said that it was probably best we never spoke again.

And I nver have since. But a part of me still wants to know what happened. Where did she go and why? I took me ages before I stopped thinking about her, but it has stopped.

I have had a horribly shouty day today. And it has made me a bit grumpy. ALl the kids wanted to be chatty today, and my year 10's, who are now starting their first piece of GCSE coursework, just weren't interested. I will be so glad next year when maths coursework is gone!!!
But this afternoon I went to a local primary school to do a maths session with the year 6's. I took some sixth formers with me, and I'm glad I did. It was good fun, so that made me happy. Now I am home, I am tired and have still got a cold, so and I am feeling sleepy and sneezy.

My god if the day continues I would have made it through all the dwarves by bedtime, which I imagine Snow White did frequently.

The only cow in a small town in Poland stopped giving milk. The people did some research and found that they could buy a cow from Moscow for 2,000 rubles, or one from Minsk for 1,000 rubles. Being frugal, they bought the cow from Minsk.

The cow was wonderful. It produced lots of milk all the time, and the people were amazed and very happy. They decided to acquire a bull to mate with the cow and produce more cows like it. Then they would never have to worry about the milk supply again.

They bought a bull and put it in the pasture with their beloved cow. However, whenever the bull came close to the cow, the cow would move away. No matter what approach the bull tried, the cow would move away from the bull and he could not succeed in his quest.

The people were very upset and decided to ask their wise rabbi, what to do. They told the rabbi what was happening. "Whenever the bull approaches our cow, she moves away. If he approaches from the back, she moves forward.

When he approaches her from the front, she backs off. An approach from the side and she just walks away to the other side."

The rabbi thought about this for a minute and asked, "Did you buy this cow from Minsk?"

The people were dumbfounded, since they had never mentioned where they had gotten the cow. "You are truly a wise rabbi," they said.

"How did you know we got the cow from Minsk?"

The rabbi answered sadly, "My wife is from Minsk."

Woohooo. I have finished all my references. I have written my last one. That's all my form done!

It feels good.

Today I was teaching Simpson's Rule. It is one of the formula used to estimate the area under a curve. I said "If you want to estimate the area under a curve then you can use Simpson's rule. That will do it. But if you don't want to do it and only want to tell me how you would have done it, then you use O.J. Simpson's rule"- Not everyone got that joke

I can't believe I fell asleep. I have been home for about two hours, but for the past hour or so, I have been napping. I have been so tired lately. All these early mornings are disagreeing with me. And having to drive for an hour in the dark whilst still tired makes me a bit nervous.

I must wake up soon, those books won't mark themselves. I wish they would. Perhaps I should invent self marking books. Well, if you can have self cleaning ovens and self fulfilling prophecies, why not have self marking books!

You can't beat modern lyrics to really say something meaningful and imprtant about the world. The case in point: Girl's Aloud; Something Kinda Oooh. Here is a breakdown of the real meaning behind the lyrics

I've got to heat it up,
got to, got to heat it up

Apparently it is quite cold, And I have to get the heating to work

I've got till 3 o'clock

Apparently I have until 3-o clock. Perhaps that is the time Hypothermia will set in

I've got to rock until you drop.

You're dropping as well? mmm, this hypothermia is bad

I've got to heat it up,
got to, got to heat it up
I've got till 3 o'clock
I've got to rock until you drop.

Yes, now I'm repeating myself. AM I going senile?

Something kinda oooh

Apparently there is a thing that has an element of Oooh-ness

Jumping on my tu-tu,

It appears to be using my ballet equipment as a trampoline

Something inside of me,
Wantin' part of you oOo
Something kinda oooh
Makes my heart go boom boom
something inside of me
wantin' what you do oOo

Apperntly there is a bit of me that wants what you do. Perhaps you can fix the heating?

Something kinda oooh
Jumping on my tu-tu,
Something inside of me,
Wantin' part of you oOo
Something kinda oooh
Bumpin' in the back room
Something inside of me,
wantin' what you do oOo

Oh I m repeating myself again

Ooo when tomorrow comes, baby i won't even know your name

Oh I am going senile, I am losing my memory

Baby so good want to follow on boy but ill never meet you,
Never see you again

If your gonna put a line on me now no, waitin' till the band gonna play real slow
If you win yours hand on me im diggin' you up

Digging you up? Have you been buried? Are you dead already? Damn this hypothermia

Cant dance,

That's true

no pain,

That will be due to the cold

no game no show

Not even Family Fortunes?

gimme to the beat , all night dont roll

Don't roll at all at night, otherwise you will nick my hafl of the duvet. It's cold enough as it is, without you rolling over and stealing it all

If you win your hands on me , you've got to keep up

Yes Keep your hands up where I can see them!

Something kinda oooh
Jumping on my tu-tu,

There they go again, jumping up and down on my tutu

Something inside of me,
Wantin' part of you oOo
Something kinda oooh
Makes my heart go boom boom
something inside of me
wantin' what you do oOo
Something kinda oooh
Jumping on my tu-tu,
Something inside of me,
Wantin' part of you oOo

Yes I have said that already

Something kinda oooh
Bumpin' in the back room

How did they get into the back room? Stop romaing around my house. And put my tutu down!

Something inside of me,
wantin' what you do oOo

I've got to heat it up,
got to, got to heat it up
I've got till 3 o'clock
I've got to rock until you drop

I'm cold again

I've got to heat it up,
got to, got to heat it up
I've got till 3 o'clock
I've got to rock until you drop

And repetative

Oh boy i can tell you how sad i feel

if tonight is just another kink in your steel

Should've known where the man was at

should've known he was gonna make me , i Should've recognized the plan o'attack when he turned and he called me baby
Shoulda know where the man was at
Shoulda known he was gonna make me
Shoulda come with a body map so I know where the night will take me

A body map. Cool, now where does the Colon go?

something, something, something, something, something

Er did someone say something?

Something kinda oooh
Jumping on my tu-tu,
Something inside of me,
Wantin' part of you oOo

Something kinda oooh
Makes my heart go boom boom
something inside of me
wantin' what you do oOo

Something kinda oooh
Jumping on my tu-tu,
Something inside of me,
Wantin' part of you oOo

Something kinda oooh
Bumpin' in the back room
Something inside of me,
wantin' what you do oOo

Now I am just repeating myself. Senility has set in

How sad am I? I want to go and see the Sound of Music in London

This list had been kindly donated by my good friend Paddy. He's a gentleman, a scholar and an acrobat.. no wait... that's the pink panther, the rinkydink panther

1. My ex is still....
between my Z and C on my keyboard

2. I'm listening to....
An odd documentary on how to make bubblegum (Dont ask)

3. Maybe I should...
switch off and do something less boring instead... Why Don't you!

4. I love...? And if you buy a ticket you can all have a turn

5. My best friends...?...er... are here in Blogland. Certainly not at work. They don't talk to me at work :sigh:

6.I don’t understand...? why belly button fluff is always blue

8. I miss...? ed out this question the first time round

9. The meaning of my screen name is...?My intitials with a three digit code that I had to remember

10. Love is...?a dyslexic vole

11. Somewhere, someone is...?naked {shudders}

12. I will never...? put out on the first date. NOw, the second date... I'm anybody's

13. Forever seems like...? the time I waited in the bloody traffic tonight

14. I never ever want to lose...? my virginity again. I've only just got it replaced

15. My cell phone...? is as dead as a dodo

16. When I wake up in the morning...? I hit the snooze button and fall back to sleep

17. I get annoyed at...? Stupid kids being very silly

18. Parties are...?what other people seem to have

19. My pets are...? a stick, a stone and a piece of moss

20. Kisses are...? welcome

21. Today I'm...? stressed after my journey home

22. I really want...? life

My journey home was a nightmare tonight. I left at 4pm as normal (I like to rush out as soon as possible), and like normal I needed to get petrol. I have one of those digital countdowns in my car that lets me know how many miles to go before I run out of petrol... and it was quite low- but still enough to get me to the petrol station at Hurst Green. But when I got to Flimwell, the Police had blocked off the A21 south, And I don't mean the fabulous group headed by Sting.
SO I had to have a detour through Hawkhurst. And the traffic was really heavy and slow, because everyone was being detoured through Hawkhurst, and I was also nervously watching my Petrol countdown going down.
Eventually I made it through Hawkhurst and was winding my way back towards the A21, when I noticed the Police had blocked off the A21 South here as well... but they had opened the North again, so I ended up going back the way I came. AAARGH! SO I had to turn round and wind my way through some dark lanes in the middle of no-where and hope that they end up in the right place. 2 hours later I got home.

What a nightmare journey