... or 'There and Back Again'.
You know how Daoism kinda says flow around, over and under things rather than trying to pile right through them? Following the Way means just going with the flow I suppose, and it's a philosophy I've tried to follow...
Why then do I always seem to make life hard for myself...?
Follow the ins and outs of a father-to-be on an almost daily basis.
This is a weird little online game. It's completely free, which is great. It's a kind of text based and turn based thing along the lines LOTR, but relies on recruiting to do well...
I've started my own Orc army, but I need officers. This will help us wipe out some Elves, Humans and Dwarves so we can steal all their gold. Smart!!!
It's about time Orcs got their own back after the stuffing they got in Return of the King...
Once you've joined you'll be putting together your own army, including your own armoury, soldiers, training, gold, defenses and the chance to recruit your own officers! You also get your own unique recruitment link to get your friends on board as Officers under you. Each day your recruitment link is clicked you get a soldier to add to your ranks too!
We're already looking pretty good- check out the website I've set up for my Officers:
Get on board and PM me your unique recruitment link. I'll ensure you're added to my website and get the guys to click your link and give you extra soldiers every day. We've been playing this for about a week now, and it's great fun! Check out this forum for our tactics and battle plans:
Sorry I haven't posted in such a long time. It's been an incredibly eventful year, which has included some real highs and lows. Throughout all of it, Claudia has been the best thing to have ever happended to me, and I'm sure to Nic also.
She's almost a year old. Here she is at Xmas, getting ready for Easter:
As a long time poster on Blogger now, I have found other members and readers comments to be insightful and thought provoking. While I have not always agreed with the varied points and opinions expressed here, I have come to respect your judgement in important matters.
Now I call upon your good selves to give me your opinion on a matter that has plagued me the last 24 hours. I have thought long and hard on the matter, and really need some second opinions before I take any action.
Please help me choose a monkey!
I used to have a great puppet monkey when I was a kid. I want to get something similar for Claudia, and have found some great puppets I can purchase online. However, I can't decide between the four below. Can you have a look and let me know which you think is best please? Vote below! Ta!
Number 1
Number 2
Number 3
Number 4
In case you're interested, you can find this puppet store here:
Puppets By Post
Apologies for no posts since Claudia was born - been too tired, plenty to do, too much to say. Here's some congrats messages Nic and I got re her arrival. Many thanks to all for the well wishes, chocolates, champagne, cigar, babygrows, toys and cards.
Dave,
Huge congrat`s to you and Nic. Claudia looks lovely and I couldn`t be more pleased for you both. Sorry haven`t been in touch much - will send Baynhamesque mullet-inspired email in due course!
Love to you both,
Matt
Congratulations mate,
Couldn`t have happened to a nicer guy. Hows things @ the mo?
Best wishes to mother and baby.
im really chuffed for you.
joe
Aw mate congratulations, she looks wonderful! :)
Hope to see you all soon, take care
Kee :O)
You little beauty! Good luck old boy; if she's inherited any off that Scotish gumption, it a long and feisty time of sleep deprivation for you mucker............best wishes dave......your friend, nick xxx
She is a cutie. None of her fathers looks! :p
Seriously what is you postal addy so I can send you guys a present.
Oh and I wish you many sleepless nights!!! :D
What a crazy baby!
We look forward to seeing her (and you) soon.
Richard
awww! she beautiful, she tiny!!!
Congrats again dada!
Lou xx
OH MMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYY
GOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
HOW CUTE!!!!!!!! look at u, all growned up and a daddy! how gorg is she!
also im supa pleased as shes a pisces, like maself, and were the bestest
sign eva! luv and hugs to u all! jeeeeeeesus, how broody am i now?!!!
Hi there Dave
Congratulations on the birth of Claudia! She looks lovely and a nice weight
too. I hope that the labour wasn't too stressful for Nicky and that she
soon gets over it. I suppose there will be a cut in your outings to the gym
and wild boozy nights out - hope she's a good sleeper!
Lots of love Adrienne xx
Dear David and Nic
She's gorgeous! Dying to come down and see her in the flesh. Seems like everybody has seen her except me. How is the feeding going?
Looking forward to seeing you all soon
Love
Mum
xxx
hey dude!
as i said in the text message, congrats!!
better get some Maiden on the go right now. catch em while they're young!!
;)
stay metal dude!
nealp
Hey there papa Chin!
spect you're still buzzing & bouncing around with joy. I will need all the gory details eventually, stitches, blood loss etc. but I'll leave those until later.
Is she beautiful? Does she have hair? Is she long & thin or short & round? Is she a cross or a placid baby? I can't wait to see you all & have to confess I shed a little tear of happiness this morning. I'm trying to get hold of Jules so we can do some combined auntie squealing!
lots of love to you all, see you soon
xxxxxxxxxxx
Cathy Phelps
Congratulations matey!!!
All the best to you Nic and baby Claudia.
May you enjoy many sleepless nights like I have!!!!!
matt davies
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Long sleepless nights and fun filled days to come
David
congrats!! it was about time though! seemed liek she was pregnant for like forever, you are evry lucky, very happy for you :o)
take good care fo your ickle baby and your girl,
kiz x
