Testing testing

So with my time off I have partied with friends, rested up and hung out with my family. My mum the ever "can you do this for me" has not disappointed. (bless)

A few weeks ago I got duped into a trip to PC World. What could she possibly want in a store like this? Currys and Comet yep understandable. But, she announces she wants a laptop. A laptop "why?" I ask. Now if you don't know my mother and her friends of the same age group its about keeping up with the Chucku's (A commonn Nigerian family name like Smith).  So who out of her group had a laptop that she now felt the need to match or better?

With feet dragging I ohhhhhed and at all the laptops that had screens flashing. Trying desperately to steer her away from anything that looked like a Mac. I personally was going for the cheapest thing possible. A little notebook. We settled on a full size Dell. Yep it looks like a tea tray from IKEA but at least she can see the keyboard.

And the the torture started. Who was going to teach her? Fingers hovering over the key board like shes in some typing class for the 1940s lasted all of 1 minute. Before she went for the good old 1 circle whilst looking for the letter and stab. (Jesus take me now) This is why when people ask me that age old question will you coach after track I say no. I do not have the patience.  I sit watching her try her best and reach for my phone looking to call my niece and offer her a fiver to come round and help out Grandma.

As to be expected the laptop sat up on top of the printer for a couple weeks until this week. Suddenly she has a new lease of life and what to learn how to send emails. Noooooooooooooooooooooooo  I scream inside. Email address set up. CHECK Teach mum about emails? How many excuses can I come up with. I find myself barking commands at her and think to myself. Why are you being so mean? The voice in my head replies "I can't help it. She's not listening".

And then that moment of clarity. Lets take her right back to basics. She sitting here right now doing an online typing course. I have not grunted at her in a good 15 mins. Shes at level 1 lesson 5 and shes got 92% accuracy. Yep speeds down to 7wpm. But, we aint arguing .  Yeah Team Mummy and Joice.

Now how long can I fob her off with typing tutors? Before she asks how to send emails again. This is just pay back for all the times she used the distract with something else trick on me.

Happy B'day Big Sis

My sister how do I describe her? Hmm

Well she is my other half, my sensible head.  The one true person in the world I trust.

Her words  have  always been ones  that can cause me to question my actions.

She has been blessed with a reasonableness, a quietness that has made her a big impact in my life.

So to you my big sister I wish you a very Happy Birthday.

Xxx

Back in Tha A

To say I was OVER prepared for every eventually that would irk me as I left for the airport yesterday to travel back to Atlanta, Georgia is an understatement. I have over time tried to take everything in my stride when it comes to air travel. Security are after all doing their jobs, right?. The amount of travelling I do I figured it’s the easiest way to approach the events at the airports.

After watching the news updates in London. Yes the news updates. One thing I find annoying is the lack of World News I get in the USA. I have to visit CNN and web pages just to find out what is going on in the world. I digress. The news updates in London had informed me of the new changes to travel to and from the USA.

• Expect 2 hour delays

• 1 Piece of hand luggage

• No blankets for the last hour of the flight

• No world map showing you where you are and time to destination

• No use of the bathroom during the last hour of the flight

• Random full body searches

• No neck pillows

 So I went dressed like cat woman in a Pea Coat minus the mask. lol

(leggings and a T-shirt). "No miss airport security woman no concealed weapons here". 8/10 times I'm subjected to the pat down (touch up my stuff search).Never nice and so not cute. I had the one piece of carry on luggage (handbag stuffed nicely inside) that fit in that little size thingy they have. With no pushing or ramming in to make it fit . Passport and wallet in my pocket.


I bumped into my friend Taneisha Robinson-Scanlon (Irish Triple Jumper) who was on the same flight with her husband and daughter. 

So what trouble did I get into? you ask. Well I am happy to inform you none.  I actually got upgraded which helped. As each person was subjected to a full body and luggage search. I mean take everything out of your bag, shake it out and put it backin search.  They told us to go up to the lounge and they would call for us when they were ready to search us. 


The US end was kinda strict as expected. Before we even got off the jetty we had to have our passports checked and then checked again at passport control. 


Presently i'm in the jet lag "where am I?" state of mind
I have been sleeping most of today.Will just rest up and get ready for practice tomorrow

Coming To An End

So my week in LA is coming to an end

Its been relaxing to say the least. Each day I think 1PM was the average time for my shower as I sat around Jacks apartment eating pancakes and watching breakfast TV. Now I have to deal with the wide ass issue that I have obtained in such a small amount of time.



Kai Kelley who's a friend of Jacks has been great. He is the restaurant guide to LA. lol He has come up with some great places to eat.



Some good and ONE place not so good

Here is the exact moment when Jack found a fly in her water.






And to add insult to injury we didn't get a discount for our meal.

I thought Jack was getting stable on her crutches until we had a little incident last night. One minute she was up and the next minute she was DOWN. We chuckle at it now but when it happened it was not a pretty sight. There really is not much you can do for somebody who is on crutches other than to hover around them braced to catch them if they fall. So how I ask did Jack manage to fall at Kai's feet and him not notice. lol. He can explain that one to you himself.

Her spirits are up as she displayed she still has the bug for buying shoes. Only Jack could hobble to the shoe store, try on one shoe and purchase two. lol

She also had the first 1 foot Pedicure. It turns out this is Jacks 3rd Pedicure ever. Her last being 1990 something. Even the women painting my toes nails commented "oh only 11 years since your last Pedicure" lol. We both shot her a look like "who was talking to you?" lol






So I wanted to get my chill on and thats exactly what I've been doing.



In the next couple of days I will post a few conversations that we have had that have made me say. Hmmmmmmmmm

lol

But, its back to Atlanta next week to start practice. I know I will blink and then January will come around and I will be hearing the familiar words "Tracksuits off please ladies".

So its time to knuckle down and get my practice on

Keep Your Cirlce Small

Choose your friends wisely-they will make or break you.
J. Willard Marriott

I was looking at the usual blogs I read and came across a post that got me thinking. It was called 'Keep Your Circles Small'.

Its not surprising, with the amount of travelling over the years I have done I can count my true friends on one hand. Its funny I was having a Joice moment this week and knew just who to call even though I had not spoken to her in over 2 months. That to me is true friendship.


So I questioned myself why is my circles small. Below are possible answers

a- I travel alot and find it hard to stay in touch
b- I can't be bothered with the pressures of other peoples stresses.
c- I'm very happy in my own company
d- Like the line from the City High song Caramel 'I don't run with many girls cause they talk to much'

Probably a mix of all 4 if you ask me. lol

City High feat Eve - Caramel
Uploaded by tktouz. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

For real I was told this week that my mind works like a guy. That I have dude traits when it comes to stress. I think that was a complement. lol

Truth is I don't allow stuff or people to trouble my head for long periods of time. If you disturb my sleep we really have a problem.

So I deliberately choose the small circle and hold them near and dear. Cause if you cast your net far and wide you will have holes in it that your not aware of.

My 5 know exactly who they are and know I am no more than a phone call/plane ride away. Basically we just keep it simple knowing we are ALWAYS there for eachother.

Home

The quote says it all.

Where we love is home, that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.


Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I'm home
Back in LDN for the summer :)

Happy Easter

It was a pretty decent day yesterday so Loren decided to open up his house to the training group.

BBQ
Guitar Hero
and
Taboo



It was also Stephanies birthday so two reasons to get together. Im not sure if I mentioned it but the latest addition to Team Seagrave is Stephanie Durst. Stephanie is one of my good friends so again I am lucky to be training with and seeing a dear friend every day.





I have never played Guitar Hero before. Really did enjoy it. Dear Santa............. lol

Derrick of course was his usual happy self and got straight into the fun of the game. Gyrating his Bahamian hips and singing really badly.






Dean gave us a very strange Jamaican version of Hotel California. I still have that damn song in my head.




We had all the girls in the group giving a bad rendition of One Way or Another. Durst pulled diva moves and announced she was quitting the band when we got booed. She then informed us she don't do back up when Dani wanted to sing. Beyonce best watch out Durst is in town. lol




Even Anthony got in on the actoin. He's got The Eye Of The Tiger



Carl's was in town for a spell



We had a really good time.


We finished off with a game of Taboo. All I'm gonna say is I want Lisa on my team whenever we play again she awesome.

Oh for the record I'm shit on any instrument other than the drums

lol




Lots of pics courtesy of Fonz

Happy Mothers Day Mummy

Once again I'm away for Mothers Day.

And again Amazon came in very usufull. lol


Here is a poem that sums up my love for my mother


Mother
If I could give you diamonds
for each tear you cried for me.
if I could five you sapphires
for each truth you've helped me see.
If I could give you rubies
for the heartache that you've known
If I could give you pearls
for the wisdom that you've shown.
Then you'll have a treasure, mother,
that would mount up to the skies
That would almost match
the sparkle in your kind and loving eyes.
But I have no pearls, no diamonds,
As I'm sure you're well aware
So I'll give you gifts more precious
My devotion, love and care.
Author Unknown


PS Happy Mothers Day to my sister Tayo also.
I think her son Max got her a present from Amazon too.

LOL

(Note to Maxie - You owe my for all these gifts I keep sending your mother)

Just kidding

Work Learn Play

It takes struggle, a goal and enthusiasm to make a champion.

Norman Vincent Peale

Basically the whole training group has been on the grind. We are developing into a family unit. Its like having those brothers and sisters that get on your nerves but you still love them. lol

Here are few pictures of some of the group us at work and at play.

Work





Me



Travis




Roby




Andre






Lisa



Ian



Dean




Derrick



Dwight



Dani


Fonz


Labronze


Sasha


Learn







Play










This is how we feel when we go home most days

Happy Birthday Big Sister

Basically I am her and she is me.
I love my sister with all my heart and its her birthday today.
I found this poem that sums up all I want to say.

PS. I know you love Gerald Levert so the play list is for you

Jx


My Best Friend


You've been there for me
Through the good times and bad
I know I can count on you
To be there when I'm sad

Life without you
Just wouldn't be right
I wouldn't be able to get through
Each day and night

When I've had a bad day
I know that you're only a call away
When life takes that crazy turn
You are always there to help me learn

We've had so many good times together
I know we'll be best friends forever
No matter where we are
I know we'll never be too far

You're my idol, my sister, my friend
We'll be together till the end
Even when we're old and gray
You'll be here still, to help me get on my way

Gerald Levert