A Date With 2011

I have been told by an amazing friend that I am too critical and hard on myself, I take criticism to heart and am very quick to accept blame for situations.

I believe it comes from being very driven as a young sportsman at school, I did well and was satisfied but was very hard on myself.

Somehow in my marriage I felt I had to prove what a good husband and father I was. My family wanted for nothing and in the process I created a debt hole I am still stuck in. I took on all the debt in my divorce and let my ex-wife take most of the furniture for her and my girls.

So enough of the past, what does 2011 hold for me and what the heck am I going to do with the debt. I was keen to auction it all to the highest bidder, but somehow not even Willy Wonka could pull that off.

So I need a date with 2011, to get a better understanding of her needs and behaviour. Perhaps I will learn of some manner that she can assist me with my previous relationship with a lady called Debt. The future will be determined by using what 2011 offers and using what Debt taught me (and scarred me).

And the resolution and outcome?

No idea yet but watch this space.

Chow all

Date Night

There is something magical about your first date night with a beautiful young lady, add that she is your 14 year old daughter and you are on your way to a truly magnificent memory.

I collected a smiling chatty Simon from her Mom's home and she was waiting in the yard for me as I arrived, she wore shinny black jeans, red pumps and a red Hemisphere hoodie with a smile that would melt a rattlesnakes heart.

We chatted and laughed and finally decided on a restaurant after a detour for 2 magazines and a stroll through CNA, a Greek Restaurant as she had never eaten in one before. I ordered the Kleftika and Simon ordered her first ever fillet with side orders of steamed vegetables and roast potatoes. It was awesome, awesome like finding you had just inherited a pub on the beach in Jamaica. The meat melted, the veges were crisp and the potatoes slightly sweet.

Simon had an A4 handwritten list of conversational items, as she said 'I always think afterwards arghhh I should have told Dad that'. It was so sweet and so typical of her. After supper we set off for the search for the perfect setting for dessert and wandered into Mantovanis, stared transfixed at the cake display and headed upstairs to their lounge. We were the only ones there and Simon ordered chocolate brownies and icecream and a chocolate smoothie, a real death by chocolate challenge. I settled for a cuppachino and tiramiso. Stunning.

Then more chatter and time to drop my darling back at her Mom's house, we listened to grunge rock with growling and I kept a tentative eye on my heat gauge in the car as it was overheating rather badly.

I received a spine cracking hug from her, a huge smile and a kiss and as she walked down the driveway, I could not help smiling despite the fact that I was divorced.

I mean if this divorce means that I forge this sort of bond and relationship with my girls, then I am willing to remain single and bear the sad silent moments on my own.

What was the highlight of the evening for me? Must have been the smile I kept getting as her eyes sparkled and her words kept pouring out.

Thank you my Simon Pie.

Good night