Play that funky music white boy

A short one tonight. It's 11.30pm on Sunday night, and this is my final attempt to blog after innumerable false starts across the past few days

It's been a hectic time at work (plus ca change - which is fast becoming my cliche) and my adding up skills are no longer able to approximate the hours I spend in the office. I arrived back home at 11pm on Friday night and dived (dove?? Na) into bed for a few hours before jumping back up and heading back to work. My arrival home was at 7pm the same day (on a Saturday....) and I was only saved from a pre-emptive divorce due to the DVD and Chinese takeaway I wisely acquired on my way home.

I have much to mention, but time is proving restrictive. Have I mentioned the hotel Carole and I will stay during the two nights between the wedding and our flight to Dublin? It's the Park Inn, have a look at the link:- http://www.parkinn.co.uk/hotel-aberdeen

I know what you're thinking. "Is that a popular city centre hostelry which perchance serves beverages of the alcoholic variety only yards from their hotel's front door?"

Yeah it is :)

Finally, enjoy the video below. I at last managed to catch Luca dancing, although as you'll notice he is a little reticent to the idea of being filmed. My favourite bit is toward the end where he shakes his chubby cheeks to the beat.

**Useless fact of the day - If you're dancing, you're probably doing it to some of your favorite tunes, which not only keeps your body moving, but your brain as well. A study in the Heart & Lung journal showed that people who listened to music while they exercised showed better "verbal fluency," as listening to music "may stimulate and increase cognitive arousal while helping to organize cognitive output."**

Can you tell that I'm bored?

I'm paying for my lack of social interaction today. Carole's hen night is this evening, which was preceded by a lengthy hair and make-up appointment in town. This has resulted in my being left with toddler sitting responsibilities. No bad thing, but lordy have I misjudged the length of the day.

Being the highly unsociable and borderline surly individual you know and (cough) love, I often revel in situations where I'm left in my own company (contemplative thinking, working late in the office, etc) but on this occasion I've made rather a misjudgement.

Although Luca demands constant attention (to say the least) being as young as he presently is does limit conversation somewhat, as does his attention span. For example, earlier today Luca heard a word on the radio that was new to him - mystery. "What does mystery mean Dad?" he enquired. "Well, son" I began, impressed with the boys eagerness to learn along with the opportunity to demonstrate one of my few (very few) strengths "The easiest way for me to explain it to you would involve....."

At this point he pounced onto my knee, grabbed the sides of my head with both hands and proclaimed "Daddy - you've got bogeys in your nose!"

Coming back to the main point, that being one of the difference between loneliness and isolation. With Carole not being present all day, I decided to take Luca out with me to run varying errands (shopping, post office, picking up dog food, etc) rather than do anything of a more social nature (such as football, visiting, etc). It seemed the logical choice at the time, but following Luca's surprisingly early departure to bed at 6.40pm ("I tired Daddy, carry me to bed") I've been left with the realisation that other than the odd "thanks" or "bye" I haven't actually conversed with an adult since yesterday.

Which leads to to my decision to write a blog tonight. As you'll by now have guessed, my reasons for writing aren't as altruistic as usual. Indeed, tonight's blog is merely an opportunity to talk to myself without having to actually speak out loud, therefore reminding myself of the precariousness of sanity.

I'm assuming I'm not alone with these thoughts? Oh God, what if I am? What if no-one else talks out loud to themselves on occasion, and then worries about it? OK, new poll - look to the right of the page and vote post haste!

Before this entry becomes too self indulgent (although I think we "jumped that shark" about two years ago) I'll revert back to it's basic intention - inform you of the vagaries of our family life. Carole first, who interestingly becomes ever more affectionate and gooey eyed as the wedding date approaches. I think part of this is due her relaxing as most arrangements have finally been completed, but extraordinarily I think she's seriously looking forward to being married too. Perhaps I should work a little less and be a little nicer in order to live up to her hopes.

And Luca, what's going on with him? No overt changes I can think of, although his grammar and creative thinking continue to expand. We've been able to reason with him for quite some time now, but lately he's been thinking more, and offers a variety of alternative solutions to problems.

Or "argues more" to put it more simply.

He's also become very affectionate too, and has taken to holding my hand almost permanently when he's around me. Indeed, he even grabbed it yesterday morning at the breakfast table and proceeded to eat his cereal with one hand and hold my hand with the other. Cute. Conversely however, over the last couple of months he's stopped giving me a kiss goodnight. I still get a cuddle "but no kiss". This is part of his growing up I suspect, and one of many that shows his rapid progress from baby to boy. Gratifying to see from so many angles, but sad to lose my baby at the same time.

And me? I'm fine, slight levels of madness aside. Still stupidly working 60-70 hour weeks and eating a diet so bad my doctor would have an aneurysm at the sheer thought, but these aside I'm good.

And I tonight watched what will surely be film of the year in all the end-of-year polls. "Kick Ass". If you haven't seen it rent it now. If you haven't heard of it Google it. And if you keep an open mind you'll love it.

Unless excessive usage of the "C" word is overly off putting.

Tomorrow brings Carole's predicted hangover, so Luca and I will bail out to find refuge and a television to watch Partick Thistle play in Scotland's first cup semi final of the season. Exciting stuff, considering our general ineptitude and malaise, so if you're having a lazy Sunday afternoon then exercise your remote control finger and search your freeview box for the BBC Alba channel at around 3pm

Yes, of course they are going to lose. Now remember to vote and (hopefully) allay my mental health fears.

**Useless fact of the day - BBC Alba's viewing figures per month are around 250000. Total**

Difficult conversations with a toddler

During his waking hours, it's immeasurably difficult to go online without Luca's bat-like ears hearing the click and whirr of a computer. Even if he's on a different floor that familiar high pitched voice will call out "Daddy, are you playing on the computer?". His question is almost incidental, as whether you reply to the affirmative or negative (ie - lie) those little feet will come stomping up the stairs.

Although it's frequently a pleasure to have his company at such times - he just likes to sit on your knee and watch - other times can be more problematic. Such as this weekend. We were trawling through the photo's on his Granda's blog ("That's Granny! That's Granda! That's Granda again!" "Look at the holes on Granda's legs!") until we happened upon an image posted on 17th August, that of a whole roasted pig, head and all.

Suddenly a deep frown crossed his face. "What are they doing to that piggy?" he cried, "The piggy has an owey". I paused briefly, contemplating whether the truth or a white lie would be needed. I chose the truth. "The pig has been on a barbecue" I stated, "So the people can eat their lunch." Cue a confused glare. "You don't eat pigs!" he roared, "Piggy's are our friends"

This conversation continued a while longer, until I was sure he understood. However, I'm unsure of my decision. Did I convey this information to him too early? Should I have waited until he was older? Please vote in today's poll on the right hand side of the page.

Luca's had a busy weekend, and slightly unusually has spent the majority with his Mummy. While I've been snoozing, he and his Mum have been running around together. They particularly enjoyed their trip to the cinema yesterday to watch "Toy Story 3" in 3D. Apparently he spent the movie swiping his hands in front of his face, as the 3D effects danced around the forefront of his vision.

That's not to say he and his Dad have been completely inactive however. We went to the Inverurie Loco's V Deveronvale cup match on Saturday afternoon. The result? A resounding 5 - 0 duffing for our local side. Luca clearly has been inflicted with the same unfortunate luck/curse suffered by preceding generations of football supporting Stewart's. Here he is at the game, having quietly crept under the barrier on his way to invading the pitch after the fourth goal went in.

On Sunday morning - with his Mother hill climbing - he was forced to join me at the office for a brief spell. Not being of great help with import commodity codes, I sat him in the closest canteen in front of CBeebies on the TV. Yes, I did ask him to smile at the camera. But television holds a greater appeal than his father.

We did hit a first at the office though. "I need a wee wee" he cried, rather predictably after his 4th glass of orange juice. With the unsurprising lack of a potty at my workplace, he happily used the main toilet. Nothing odd about that. Except his decision to have a pee standing up! As shocked as I was by his decision I was delighted, although he did have to strain on his tip toes to get his "little man" over the rim of the toilet bowl. "Aim it Daddy" he squealed, as long squirty flows of urine decorated the previously pristine interior of the bathroom.

In non-Luca related news, I achieved what I'd previous considered unachievable on Saturday evening - I convinced Carole to watch a subtitled foreign language film! As you know, Carole is rather fond of big budget, blockbuster, predominantly horror movies, and with this independent cinema holds little appeal for her. However,she sat entranced through French film "La Horde", enjoying every minute.

Of course, it was a French film about killer zombies, but every giant leap starts with a little step. And of course I'm not particularly averse to any film featuring levels of grisly nastiness either......

**Useless fact of the day - Former Leicester City and Millwall goalie Kasey Keller used to be the proud owner of a gas-powered car that was unable to reverse**