Jem's field notes

Just when I thought this week couldn’t get any worse: Large crack in my windscreen, right across my line of vision. Replacement windscreen: £105 + VAT I still have that kidney for sale, if there’s any takers…

Bit of a blogging hiatus here recently, although not intentionally. I’ve been struggling with my mood a lot recently, which I had mostly attributed to PMS but had also considered the possibility of a reaction to the reintroduction of alcohol after going dry for July. It all came to a head on Saturday night when… read full entry »

For the first time in years (well, since 2008 if my archives are right!) I have spent the past week, give or take, absolutely crippled with horrific PMS symptoms. Uber cramps, lethargy, insomnia, bloating, stress, carb cravings, you name it: I’m suffering with it. But… worst of all, I seemed to have developed the emotional… read full entry »

…and I have 2 multipacks of Smirnoff Ice queued up to celebrate! :D

Dry for July ends in a few days and I CAN’T WAIT. I’m still “dry” / sober, but looking forward to having a drink with friends on Friday. I’ve made a few quid since embracing hypocrisy and appreciate those of you who sent support my way — thanks. My recently re-added geek t-shirts page has… read full entry »

After yesterday’s moan about my lack of weight loss/improved fitness despite all the extra activities I’m doing, I went for my Wednesday run (bootcamp session) and came back feeling pretty damn hot about myself (this was rapidly killed when I buckled another wheel but more about that another day). In doing last night’s bootcamp and… read full entry »

I’m having a bad day. Personal crap, work crap, crap crap. On top of all this, I’m feeling really demotivated and disillusioned with the whole fitness / weight loss thing. Having talked about my “problem” and my fitness/weight loss goals at the beginning of the month, I have buckled down with my eating and increased… read full entry »

Despite having moaned at length over the past 10 years about advertising on personal blogs, the rise (and fall) of “Pay Per Post” and networks of that ilk, I took the decision this morning to drop an adsense advert on my blog sidebar. I am aware that this makes me a giant hypocrite, that some… read full entry »

I have had a most amazing week, and it occurs to me this morning that it has been a week full of “firsts”: First holiday on my own First time “glamping” First time I drove on a proper motorway (3 lanes) First time I drove to a destination on unfamiliar roads without using satnav First… read full entry »

I am back from my grown-up glamping adventure. I did not get (too) lost, eaten by insects, die of food poisoning from eating undercooked BBQ food or indeed go stir crazy about being on my own like I thought I would. So here’s what happened, with some pictures: I left on Monday, already running late… read full entry »