Yet Another Wild Ride in the Rollercoaster of Life

The Family Chronicles

Oh, dear reader, buckle up for another wild ride through the labyrinth of my chaotic life. Let’s dive into the madness that unfolded this week, shall we?

Hailing from the Family Front

First things first, the family. The two eldest offspring have been elusive, playing the hide-and-seek game with me all week. Thankfully, phone calls have become my lifeline, providing a fleeting connection in the midst of the chaos. As for Drew and Fran, they seem to have dodged the craziness bullet, or at least that’s the façade they maintain – who knows what secrets they harbor?

On the health front, the trio of Sam, Matt, and poor Harry have been grappling with yet another bout of illness. Harry’s been wrestling with Gastroenteritis, poor lad. But fear not, he’s a tiny warrior, and like a seasoned champion, he’ll conquer this adversity too.

School, Sickness, and More

Meanwhile, Joshua, after a blissful two-week Easter break, has waltzed back into the realm of education. Reports suggest he’s navigating the return without much fuss. Good lad.

And now, brace yourself for the real spectacle – Lewis, the family whirlwind. This young lad has aced not one but two sets of exams/interviews for the Royal Air Force. As if that’s not enough, he’s now juggling physical training, college, and a stint at The Bellingham Hotel. But wait, there’s a plot twist. The Radisson, that fancy establishment formerly known as the Free Trade Hall in Manchester, beckoned with a full-time chef position. His answer? An unequivocal “Yes, please!” Lewis will now be strutting his culinary prowess at The Radisson three days a week while still pursuing his first-year VRQ in professional cookery at Wigan and Leigh College. Phew, can someone hand this lad a superhero cape?

After gracefully bidding adieu to The Bellingham, Lewis is all set to embark on his Radisson adventure, starting with an induction that promises to reveal the stark differences between a 5-star hotel and, well, everything else.

Indulgence and Farewells

In the midst of this whirlwind, Michele and I were whisked away for a delightful evening at friends’ abode. Dilbar’s, the new Indian eatery in Hindley, generously fueled our culinary escapade with a delectable take-away. A particular standout was something called Parsi – a choice worth its weight in gold. Paired with a few libations and a fine bottle of red, the night unfolded with Nigel and Jo playing the role of impeccable hosts. Here’s to hoping we reconvene sooner, armed with more gastronomic delights and less time apart.

Work Shenanigans

As if life wasn’t zany enough, work threw its own curveballs into the mix. The AutoCAD license server decided to go rogue on a fateful Friday morning, sending ripples of panic through the CAD community. Miraculously, within an hour, we had it back on its best behavior, saving the day for the entire UK CAD fraternity. With promising projects on the horizon requiring a rendezvous with REVIT, we’re gearing up for the challenge. Additional training requests have been fired off, and our suppliers are currently concocting options to satiate our knowledge cravings.

The Beautiful Game

Ah, football – the pulse of my existence. United faced off against City in a high-stakes showdown at Old Trafford. Victory would have practically sealed the deal, but alas, City triumphed 1-2. Yet, it was evident that with 10 minutes to spare, United had thrown in the towel, while City still had cards up their sleeves.

United rebounded with a solid 0-2 win against Stoke, putting them 15 points clear. However, City’s pending game in hand keeps the tension alive. A mere 4 points now separate us from the coveted title, with a potential showdown against Villa at Old Trafford looming.

City, in their FA Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea at Wembley, emerged victorious with a 0-2 scoreline. However, the shine was tarnished by Aguero’s dark side, unleashing a two-footed jump on David Luis. The Ref turned a blind eye, leaving the fate of Aguero’s presence in the FA Cup Final on May 11, 2013, in the hands of the ever-watchful FA.

A Local Conundrum

Lastly, the local football dilemma. Wigan squared off against Millwall in the FA Cup semi-final, emerging triumphant with a 0-2 victory. Now, here lies my predicament – born a Manc but residing in Wigan, who should I throw my support behind? Perhaps I’ll just remain a neutral spectator…

And on a bizarre note, Wembley witnessed a curious spectacle on Saturday – a group of minority Millwall fans engaged in fisticuffs among themselves. A stark reminder that football fandom can sometimes be a messy affair.