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Welcome to another typical January day in South Manchester; cold, dull but thankfully no rain. We have booked our first holiday of the year and will be departing for Gran Canaria at the start of February for a little winter sun. It should give me a chance to practice a little Spanish too hopefully. 

Today is my day off work and I have just had my eyes tested, which means I will be getting a brand new pair of glasses next week. The difference this time is that Mrs PM usually insists on coming with me to choose my new frames “because I have to look at you”; this time she didn’t and I have chosen them. 

I actually think they are very nice. We shall see what she says but I am now of an age where I don’t really care anymore. They aren’t too dissimilar to the ones I have on at the moment and I have a vague idea what she likes so I think I will be okay. 

Shall we answer some silly questions from Sunday Stealing? 

1. Your favourite part of the day

It depends on whether I am working or not. If I am working then my favourite part of the day is late afternoon when I actually stop working, 

If I am not working then I am not bothered really and have no preference. Morning is good because I feel at my sharpest. This is the time I do my “daily duties”, i.e. learn Spanish, play the piano etc. I like the evenings because I am more relaxed either going out somewhere or vegetating in front of the TV or listening to music. 

In the summer, I like to sit in the garden in the afternoon, either chatting to Mrs PM and/or the neighbours or reading a book.

2. Something you know a lot about.

I know a lot about the computer system I work on from the operating system I use, via the database and the application. I am considered one of the company experts. I won’t bore you with the technical details as I want you to read the rest of the post without falling asleep. 

The system I work on is sold to a particular type of customer so I also know a lot about how they operate. I will tell you more about that when I retire because it is quite interesting. 

3. An important person in your life.

There are many important people in my life but, as usual, I will select Mrs PM because she is the person that understands me most on the planet and also my best buddy. I have absolutely no idea how she has managed to put up with me for just over 25 years but I am very thankful that she has. 

4. Your favourite recipe

Is this to make or to eat?

If I am making something myself it has to be quick and easy, although I can actually cook. I would say it has to be the pasta dish that I can whip up in about fifteen minutes. 

If we are talking about Mrs PM, she makes a mean chicken paella. 

Perhaps I may expand my horizons and my culinary skills when I have more time after retirement. I have dabbled before and created edible food that people have enjoyed.

5. An event that turned out differently than planned

Probably the first time I went to watch horse racing. We have friends in Chester, which isn’t too far away, and they invited us to Chester races. I was a little dubious because it involves gambling and I’m not really a gambling man. Nevertheless, we had an amazing time and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I bet on the horses. I was asking one of the guys for advice and he basically told me to have a quick look at the odds and then to go with my gut. 

So I did. I decided to put the same small amount on each of the seven races, even if by a miracle, I actually won one. That way I would control my losses. 

I lost the first race but won all six of the remaining ones. 

By the sixth race, a couple of the guys were getting a little annoyed because they had won bugger all. 

My scientific method was to take a look at the odds, and look at the four horses with the best chance of winning – and then pick the horse with the funniest name. 

At the end, I was elated and made a significant profit. I decided to ease my mates’ pain by buying a round of drinks at the pub afterwards. 

Since then I have been back to Chester Races and also Haydock Park (we go there once a year). I stick with the same method, i.e. bet a small amount, look at the odds and then pick the horse with the funniest name. 

Guess what? 

I have won hardly anything since. I am usually lucky if I pick one winner and make a profit. 

Therefore my method worked once – and only once. 

It’s good fun though if you are sensible. The one thing you must remember though is that the odds are always against you and, as in a casino, “the house always wins”.

6. How you procrastinate

I am doing much better when it comes to procrastination because I’ve made a habit of things (my “daily duties”).

Usually if I do succumb to it, I watch junk on TV, play with my phone or even do housework.

Note – I have never ever procrastinated at work, so I have asked myself why I do it at home?

It’s crazy. 

7. The best type of surprise

Pleasant surprises.

I don’t like nasty ones. 

8. Music that helps you relax

Ambient electronic or rock music like these two. 

9. A thing your life has in excess

Work. 

Work has dominated my life for almost forty years and until recently I have had to endure it. Don’t get me wrong; I have a lot to be grateful for and at times I have enjoyed it immensely. But that time is now drawing to a close. 

And, yes, I have to find something to fill the gap that is left when I finally give it up.

10. A book you want to read.

I have a few books on my Kindle that I have bought and are waiting for me to attack. I will select them one at a time but none of them stand out as a must-read immediately. I can’t think of any other books I desperately want to read. 

11. A person you’re always happy to see.

I’m always delighted to see my sons and my sister. And Mrs PM of course. And also all of my mates and family. 

12. What  time do you go to sleep?

It depends on the day. On a school night (Sunday to Wednesday), I usually go to bed between 9:00pm and 9:30pm to give me time to read a little before sleeping. The only reason for this is that I am up at 6:00am to do my morning walk before starting work. 

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, I tend to go to bed later, usually any time between 11:00pm and 01:00am – because I can.

13. A word to describe the past year.

Better.

The 2020’s so far have been terrible but each year has gradually improved. 2023 was a fairly good year when I look back at it and I have high hopes for 2024.

14. Your favourite household chore

I don’t have a favourite household chore. I hate them all. 

That said, the one that gives me the greatest satisfaction is cleaning the kitchen because I really, really hate seeing dirty dishes and work surfaces covered in bits of food.

15. One thing you’d like to see

I’m going to give you a few – because I am a rebel.

I want to see the Conservative Party turfed out of parliament this year.

I want to see an end to the two major wars that are going on at the moment.

I want the UK to rejoin the EU.

Basically I want to see a world with peace and harmony where nations are tolerant of each other and we all feel safe - a wordl where everyone in every nation can sit down and have a beer together (or your tipple of choice) with laughter and fun.

I can dream can’t I?

Just vote for me as World President and I will sort it all out for you guys.