Snow dear

The snow has been very much in evidence in Basingstoke. The schools have been closed for a day or two, meaning the Christmas holidays are back again as soon as they have finished. Gritting is intermittent. The snow is quite deep here but as always, you wonder just how good the authorities planning has been. You can forget the minor roads being gritted that’s for sure. Most people have taken the pragmatic route and stayed at home. Luckily the net allows you to get at least some work done rather than face a paperwork mountain. Oh – time for the obligatory funny link. I am not sure Swindon really has this many llamas!

Children and Cards

I thought it might be interesting to record something about Christmas and how the kids presents are faring. The Artemis Fowl books went down well with Katie and Derek seemed to enjoy a Star Wars mask. I didn’t think it would be the in thing but he seems to enjoy it It’s always hit and miss getting children something as it’s not easy to be in touch with everything that goes on in their lives or peer group. Plus that and they may rebel against anything that you get them that they think pigeon holes them. However, this year was good.

In the mean time I have been nipping back for a little fun online, even winning at blackjack once in a while thanks to some advice I picked up. Don’t frown and double down I say!

Back to reality

Well after the fun of Christmas it’s back to reality as I make the trek into the office. Basingtoke Town Centre, for all it’s shopping, shall we say, lacks charm. It’s a shame there is no money for somthing radical to be done as the place needs be. Chatting to some of my colleagues, it just seems as if Christmas comes and goes faster than ever. The kids make it fun, of course they do, but it’s just like the day to day grind of real life hardly breaks at all with the festive season so brief. Still, a couple of cups of instant coffee and it’s back to the grind. Consultancy Ahoy!

Happy 2010!

Well 2010 arrived and the Slargo household is eager to see what the New Year may bring. Christmas went ok, we did the family thing and avoided too many arguments. The turkey even defied convention and was moist and ok – the stuffing and a bit of cranberry did the business. Mrs.Slargo was rightly praised by all concerned! The in laws were happy and the kids buzzed around in excitement with their presents. Derek was busy zapping all and sundry with his new robot and as a family Christmas goes it was pretty stress free. Others were not so lucky. One of my friends has apparently cracked and is filing for divorce. I think Xmas put him over the edge…

I did manage to get away from the family a little bit with the guys and we had our usual game of cards on the 30th. I won a little bit in our poker session. I also couldn’t resist a little dabble on the net on blackjack too – you can actually make a bit of money if you are a) lucky and b) find the best casino bonus online

Cards are my one vice and Mrs.Slargo is very good in letting my off the leash for a bit. She doesn’t really know about my guilty casino pleasure. In fact I am not sure I should be putting that here!

Next time I shall post my resolutions for the year! Take care until then.

The Night Before Christmas

So it’s the night before Christmas (or nearly) – the big day is nearly here!

Luckily things are quite relaxed in the Slargo household – we only have one set of relatives to cater for, my in-laws. Forget the mother in law jokes, they are actually pretty nice.  The turkey is staring at us, so to speak, and is ready to go. The presents are under the tree.

It’s lead me on to the tricky situation this Christmas – the existence of the guy with the beard, Father Christmas. Katie, at 11, has her doubts, but obviously young Derek is a 100% believer. Trying to keep Katie from expressing her doubts to her younger brother is difficult but it would ruin the whole thing if he had his mystery ruined.

You have to stay on your toes. Anyone with advice on this issue please post a comment!

Oh – and hope your big day tomorrow goes well.

Hello – I’m Rupert Slargo

Well hello – my name is Rupert Slargo. I live in Basingstoke and am a management consultant. I’m 37 and am married to my lovely wife Janine, with two children, 11-year-old Katie and 8-year-old Derek. They haven’t killed each other – yet! Though obviously they are getting very excited about Christmas right now.

I just thought I’d start a blog to record some of the things we get up to. We like walks in the countryside and that sort of thing – and when the wife lets me off the leash I enjoy the odd game of cards! Janine is part of an amateur dramatics group. The kids just do the dramatics when they feel like it.

I hope to write about both my business life and how I relax – it sometimes helps to get things off your chest. Hopefully I’ll find some interesting things to share.

Merry Christmas!

Rupert Slargo