Brackla

I wasn't able to go to wrestling training tonight - something to do with my rear nearside wheel overtaking me as I went around Hirwaun roundabout.

"How odd" I thought as the very nice alloy hit the kerb, bounced about 15 feet in the air and landed in some thick brambles.

It would have been a very good time for me to grow wings in order to hover over the bushes and retrieve said wheel, however God deemed it unneccessary to give humans the power of natural flight, which put paid to that idea.

No, a more fiendishly clever plan would be required if my quest to attend training tonight was to succeed. From where I was parked (I use that term loosely - 'parked' gives the impression I carefully placed my vehicle at the side of the road when in actual fact I was at an odd angle with one side of the car dragging on the road) the brambles were too thick for me to rescue the alloy. I used harsh language, judo and even a seduction technique but it was no good - I couldn't get past the brambles.

Then all at once, it came to me - walk around the other side of the bushes.

Yes I know - a clever idea of thermonuclear proportions.

I put the plan in to action. After negotiating several sharp bends and fending off the advances of an over-amourous labrador who instantly fell in love with my left leg, I managed to fight my way through the back of the bushes using several holds, reversals and chain techniques taught to me by the very man I was hoping I'd be learning from tonight.

Several jars of jam later, I returned to the scene of devastation, alloy in hand. One look at it told me I would not be driving it tonight. Unpeturbed, I tried anyway.

Why oh why will I never pay attention to common sense??

At this time I decided there was only one thing for it. I had to call in the RAC.

An hour later, bouncing around the corner came the contractor I disturbed on his tea break to help get my car home. I tried conversing with him in German which didn't work seeing as he didn't speak a word of it. The fact I don't either only made matters worse.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I arrived home at 9pm feeling like I've learned one of life's valuable lessons.

Only, I've forgotten what it is.

All together now: "oh happy days...."

Cognitive

Pandora'a box he been opened. I knew what would be in there, I just didn't know what would come out. And it all came out, making a refreshing change. Perhaps that's an indication of what needs to be done? The door being left open? Hmm, perhaps too risky but you never know. Actually I have to be receptive to all ideas right now, you never know which one will fit.

Saw Neil Pugh today - nice to catch up on old times.

Medical reasearch is back but this time I'm doing for my job - no huge amounts of cash involved this time! But maybe after this afternoon's session, huge amounts of cash will no longer be an issue - we'll see.

I bruise easily

I don't believe all good things come to an end. Something things do, some don't. Relationships go wrong sometimes.

When you've had something for a great number of years and it ends, that's not neccessarily the bad part - I say it's the reason which dictates if it's bad or not. It's interesting when you've played a particular role for years and years but when you look back, there's so much which should have happened but for some reaon, didn't.

It's too late to question things now, it won't make any difference. They say the greatest form of flattery is imitation, well let's find out.

Did more Celtic training tonight and my left knee is, well, wrecked. Took a front bump but landed on a split between 2 mats and it smacked on the concrete floor. It's hurting now, it's going to be murder tomorrow.

Looking forward to friday afternoon. Wonder who I should invite to the opening of Pandora's Box?

Mandatory

I reckon life is just a series of peaks and troughs. Regardless of your creed, faith, outlook etc I think this applies to everyone. You only know you're off the peak once you hit the trough and vice versa.

Some people believe they can make their own luck - I reckon that's rubbish. We can't make things go right or wrong for us. We might get a short-term improvement but that's all it is - short-term. It just means the trough journey happens a lot quicker.

The more you chase money, the faster it runs away, in my opinion. We spend too much time desiring things and then complaining when we don't get them. When you're an impatient bastard like me, the day you finally realise that it's just not worth the effort is a massive relief. Life goes on - no matter how hard a situation I've been in has turned out to be, that's been the constant truth. Some situations have appeared to be completely beyond all help - but life goes on.

There's nothing wrong in falling down - it's all about whether you stay down or get back up. Some things make getting back up seem impossible - that's where 'time' comes in to it. Staying down for a while is perfectly acceptable as long as you plan to rise again.

Anyway, time to move on. Need to get boots soon for when I make my debut - but where from? Online they seem to be so expensive, surely somewhere around here will do them cheaper? I don't mind paying around £40 but no more than that.

Blueprint

Any kind of relationship is a two-way thing. Whether it's husband and wife, friend to friend, shop assistant to customer etc.

I don't think you have to return every favour but if someone leans on you a lot and one day you ask them for a favour back (which is well within their capabilities), would you be a bit put out if they refused?

I hope so, because I wouldn't feel paranoid.

The new job is going ok, it's not rocket science but I have a specialist interest in the end product so that's ok. I've also heard something about a 'staff shop' as well.

A year ago this weekend I had the craziest thoughts of my life. I saw more than I should have and it had a mad influence on me for the rest of the day, I really don't think I should go back there, although perhaps it's not my decision. Maybe I expect too much? I rely on people too much? I hope to find out more on the 21st.

In fact I wonder if Pandora's Box will be opened on the 21st. I have so much to tell - I'll need to make notes all next week. I'm surprised it's taken almost a year to come around, still that's the nature of the beast I guess. Will it be the 'answer' I've been looking for for more than 20 years? Will it signal a return for RB? Now that would be a turn up for the books.

I reckon a nice long drive is needed - Darlington sounds cool.