Showing posts with label ayden the tamaskan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ayden the tamaskan. Show all posts
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Friday, March 02, 2018
Monday, January 01, 2018
Happy Ayden's Birthday!
Ayden is 6 years old today!
There are those who frown upon being too loving towards one's pets. But Ayden... Ayden is a precious thing indeed. He is such a laidback wolf, you'd think he was selected by Providence herself to be our companion.
After 6 years with this amazing animal there are things we've learnt:
1) BROOMS ARE SCARY
2) HOOVERS ARE SCARY
3) PEOPLE WAVING THEIR ARMS ARE SCARY
4) No cuddles please, we're Ayden.
5) Chicken can be sensed at a distance of 4 - 5 kms
6) DID WE MENTION BROOMS? BROOMS ARE THE WORST.
I love this big bundle of fluff.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Sometimes They Come Back
It has been a long time since I wrote to you, Dear Constant Reader. Too long. I'm sorry. You are the most patient of listeners, but I think I've pushed your patience to its limit this time. You've probably forgotten who I am!
So it is 2017. I'm 33. I still live with Jim in a barn in Eastry. I still work for TVW in Folkestone (and now often Hatfield). Mr Gibbs the Bearded Dragon has sadly passed away this month. Ayden the Tamaskan maintains his position on HIS sofa (unless Jeff or Bella want it...). Jeff the Maine Coon has quickly risen through the ranks and is now Supreme Overlord of Eastry, Woodnesborough and Worth. And there's a new pet added to the menagerie since last we chatted, Bella Wella. She's a rescue dog and she's the new deputy boss. No one can top Jeff for bossiness, Bella's tried but he has a remarkable ability to ignore her. She's definitely second in command now however.
Workwise I received another promotion last year. Major changes have been going on now since December last year and I think the stress of facing them each day has really not been good for me. Just as I allowed myself to be railroaded to University without deciding if that was what I really wanted, I've let myself be railroaded into positions over the last 3 years that haven't made me happy. I'm trying to change that now.
Country-wise, after Brexit, Trumpageddon and last night's abysmal Eurovision: You Decide, I've decided to simply pretend I'm German.
And, most importantly, Jim wise... after a wonderful Christmas break in Wales we returned home on a Thursday. On the Friday Jim had a heart attack. I'd tell you about how scary that experience was for me, but I suspect my feelings on the matter pale into insignificance in comparison with Jim's. The paramedics who came to his rescue and the staff at the William Harvey Hospital were fantastic and saved Jim's life that day. Without their assistance I'd have lost my entire world. I can't ever thank them enough. He has been resting up for the last three weeks at home and hopefully his recovery will continue without hiccups.
There's nothing like a sobering emergency to remind me of just how important Jim is.
So it is 2017. I'm 33. I still live with Jim in a barn in Eastry. I still work for TVW in Folkestone (and now often Hatfield). Mr Gibbs the Bearded Dragon has sadly passed away this month. Ayden the Tamaskan maintains his position on HIS sofa (unless Jeff or Bella want it...). Jeff the Maine Coon has quickly risen through the ranks and is now Supreme Overlord of Eastry, Woodnesborough and Worth. And there's a new pet added to the menagerie since last we chatted, Bella Wella. She's a rescue dog and she's the new deputy boss. No one can top Jeff for bossiness, Bella's tried but he has a remarkable ability to ignore her. She's definitely second in command now however.
Workwise I received another promotion last year. Major changes have been going on now since December last year and I think the stress of facing them each day has really not been good for me. Just as I allowed myself to be railroaded to University without deciding if that was what I really wanted, I've let myself be railroaded into positions over the last 3 years that haven't made me happy. I'm trying to change that now.
Country-wise, after Brexit, Trumpageddon and last night's abysmal Eurovision: You Decide, I've decided to simply pretend I'm German.
And, most importantly, Jim wise... after a wonderful Christmas break in Wales we returned home on a Thursday. On the Friday Jim had a heart attack. I'd tell you about how scary that experience was for me, but I suspect my feelings on the matter pale into insignificance in comparison with Jim's. The paramedics who came to his rescue and the staff at the William Harvey Hospital were fantastic and saved Jim's life that day. Without their assistance I'd have lost my entire world. I can't ever thank them enough. He has been resting up for the last three weeks at home and hopefully his recovery will continue without hiccups.
There's nothing like a sobering emergency to remind me of just how important Jim is.
Thursday, January 01, 2015
Ayden The Tamaskan Turns 3!
Today is Ayden's birthday! 3 years old and still looking wolfy. I think he is one of the best purchases we've ever made, and has brought so much happiness into our lives. Here are just a few of my favourite Ayden photos.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
A New Cat In Our Life
Yesterday we (Jim, Ian, Ayden and I) awoke early for what would be a very long day. After dropping Ayden off at New Romney with Chris and then dropping Ian home in Hemel Hempstead Jim and I headed up north to Preston. Our mission was to collect the latest addition to our household: Jefferson the Maine Coon.
Our mission was going very well until Keele service station when we got stuck behind a wide load leading to an hour and a half of traffic jams. It was unpleasant but we got to Preston just a little after 1pm. Jefferson's breeders had a house choke full of extremely beautiful and friendly Maine Coon's. Whilst he attempt to hide behind a sofa we made a fuss of his delightful Mum. When we moved to another room to see his Dad (a very handsome fellow), his Mum followed us, jumped up on a cat tree and gave me a quick swat on the back insisting I return to stroking her chin!
Jefferson was in the cat carrier without any issue and we headed home. He meowed for about 5 minutes before becoming the most well-behaved kitten or cat I've ever had in a car! He was an absolute angel.
We stopped off at Mum's, Jefferson escaped and hid under a cabinet then we collected an unsuspecting Ayden from Chris'. Stopped off at the Golden Bowl in Hythe for a takeaway then we headed home. Tired and exhausted we stayed up a little while to keep an eye on an extremely nervous Jefferson!
This morning I came down and though he remained extremely wary he had used his litter tray (an awesome cat, I'm telling you!) He agreed to a few belly rubs on the sofa so I think he is coming round. His purring is tremendous!!!
Ayden is being very good around him but Jefferson is not so sure about Ayden. I'm sure he'll grow to tolerate him in time.
Nearly 10 years since I left my home and my Angel cat (who at 15 is still pottering around Lympne flitting between families!). Finally, I have a cat again. Or a cat has me anyway.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
The Year Of Grown-Up Things Continues
Well... Jim, Ayden, Mr Gibbs and I are moving. This month we (well Jim and I, Ayden stayed in the car and we thought taking Mr Gibbs would be overkill) paid a visit to a gorgeous barn conversion in Eastry (quite a bit north of Folkestone and Dover but NOT Thanet) and fell in love with it. It is absolutely lovely and we said we wanted to rent it as soon as the tour had finished. We will likely be moving away from Folkestone around 28th March.
The 4 years in Folkestone town centre have been good. After I got my old job back at TVW my commute was reduced to a 25 minute walk each way which was perfect for my anti-social side and for listening to podcasts/audiobooks. Being close to Sainsbury's and other shops were also awesomely convenient but we never really settled here. Folkestone is, and always will be, my home town. But hopefully Eastry will be a good move for us.
I have concerns, such as a rather longer and more "weather dependent" commute, but the new house is so nice that a little reduction in my quality of life is more than acceptable.
The move will also allow us to get a cat! We're looking to get a Maine Coon, fingers crossed we find one soonish!
My new position at work is going well so far. It is a little stressful but worthwhile. I'm looking after a lovely team of people and hopefully we can achieve great things together. Though some of them are making me feel OLD.
Speaking of which... with the packing begun I've already begun unearthy artifacts from the early days of this blog. Newspaper clippings, old diaries, the keys to Block 33, tickets to France and many other nostalgic things. And with today being the 15th anniversary of Queer as Folk and my 16th Gayaversary being on Thursday it is turning into a right trip down memory lane in my head right now. Why else do you think I'm here, Dear Constant Reader?
I suppose I could turn over a new leaf when I move and start updating you a bit more regularly on the goings on in my life. This year is the 13th year of blogging here. 13 years!!! Absolutely mad.
Ooo... Eurovision countdown can start now I suppose. I'll take a look at the current entries and see whether it is worth it...
The 4 years in Folkestone town centre have been good. After I got my old job back at TVW my commute was reduced to a 25 minute walk each way which was perfect for my anti-social side and for listening to podcasts/audiobooks. Being close to Sainsbury's and other shops were also awesomely convenient but we never really settled here. Folkestone is, and always will be, my home town. But hopefully Eastry will be a good move for us.
I have concerns, such as a rather longer and more "weather dependent" commute, but the new house is so nice that a little reduction in my quality of life is more than acceptable.
The move will also allow us to get a cat! We're looking to get a Maine Coon, fingers crossed we find one soonish!
My new position at work is going well so far. It is a little stressful but worthwhile. I'm looking after a lovely team of people and hopefully we can achieve great things together. Though some of them are making me feel OLD.
Speaking of which... with the packing begun I've already begun unearthy artifacts from the early days of this blog. Newspaper clippings, old diaries, the keys to Block 33, tickets to France and many other nostalgic things. And with today being the 15th anniversary of Queer as Folk and my 16th Gayaversary being on Thursday it is turning into a right trip down memory lane in my head right now. Why else do you think I'm here, Dear Constant Reader?
I suppose I could turn over a new leaf when I move and start updating you a bit more regularly on the goings on in my life. This year is the 13th year of blogging here. 13 years!!! Absolutely mad.
Ooo... Eurovision countdown can start now I suppose. I'll take a look at the current entries and see whether it is worth it...
Monday, August 26, 2013
The Wolf Pack
On Thursday last week I visited Mum's house (whilst she was out, though Stuart and Nat were in) to get introduced to Logan (and see the ever rambunctious Finn). Logan is a foster dog Mum is looking after and it looks ever more likely he'll be becoming a permanent edition to what shall from now on be known as "The Wolf Pack".
Logan and Finn
Friday was a day of work, there's something pretty annoying about going to work for one day only. Didn't feel like I achieved anything. No more work now until... next Friday!
Saturday I went up to Greenwich with Jim and Ayden to see Denis and have a few drinks in the local. Though I'm pleased to be living in Folkestone I do miss Denis and the Ash. It was lovely being there and Ayden was so well behaved! He did experience a minor problem when he went out into the pub garden. He went down the stairs fine but when he turned to go back up he realised he could see through the gaps in the back of the stairs and this revealed his latest phobia: steps with gaps at the back. He thus sat at the bottom sulking in the rain. We eventually realised he'd been gone some time and rescued him by opening the other door to the outside.
Sunday morning we took Ayden to a huge dog walking area between the sea wall and the golf course at New Romney. Mum and Stuart were already in there with Finn and Logan. When Finn realised we had arrived he shot over to the fence and Ayden and he ran up and down excitedly until we finally coaxed Ayden to the gate. After he and Finn had done their obligatory chasing games, he finally was introduced to Logan and they seemed to get along fine. The Wolf Pack became a reality.
They then proceeded to terrorise the other dog walkers in the walking area by appearing from behind large mounds and racing towards them as a group. Given their size and speed there were a few worried looks!! Of course they are as soft as anything (all Ayden ever wants to do is say hello to every dog he meets) but there were a few frowny faces. One lady, walking her dog, informed us she actually had a phobia of dogs to which Jim replied that coming to a dog walking area was probably not the best thing for her to do then. People are silly!
We also met a huge Afghan Hound who soon put The Wolf Pack in their place. Cowed and in awe they followed said Afghan Hound on yet another tour of the dog walking area to terrorise the dog walkers again (including the phobic woman!). Ayden spent pretty much all of the rest of the day sleeping, totally exhausted.
Jim attempted a rather wonderful cheesecake with a cookie dough centre. Whilst tasty I feel we are going to be have a Cookie Dough Cheesecake 2.0 *rubs hands in glee*
Saturday I went up to Greenwich with Jim and Ayden to see Denis and have a few drinks in the local. Though I'm pleased to be living in Folkestone I do miss Denis and the Ash. It was lovely being there and Ayden was so well behaved! He did experience a minor problem when he went out into the pub garden. He went down the stairs fine but when he turned to go back up he realised he could see through the gaps in the back of the stairs and this revealed his latest phobia: steps with gaps at the back. He thus sat at the bottom sulking in the rain. We eventually realised he'd been gone some time and rescued him by opening the other door to the outside.
Sunday morning we took Ayden to a huge dog walking area between the sea wall and the golf course at New Romney. Mum and Stuart were already in there with Finn and Logan. When Finn realised we had arrived he shot over to the fence and Ayden and he ran up and down excitedly until we finally coaxed Ayden to the gate. After he and Finn had done their obligatory chasing games, he finally was introduced to Logan and they seemed to get along fine. The Wolf Pack became a reality.
Ayden, Logan and Finn Await Some Treats From Mum
They then proceeded to terrorise the other dog walkers in the walking area by appearing from behind large mounds and racing towards them as a group. Given their size and speed there were a few worried looks!! Of course they are as soft as anything (all Ayden ever wants to do is say hello to every dog he meets) but there were a few frowny faces. One lady, walking her dog, informed us she actually had a phobia of dogs to which Jim replied that coming to a dog walking area was probably not the best thing for her to do then. People are silly!
We also met a huge Afghan Hound who soon put The Wolf Pack in their place. Cowed and in awe they followed said Afghan Hound on yet another tour of the dog walking area to terrorise the dog walkers again (including the phobic woman!). Ayden spent pretty much all of the rest of the day sleeping, totally exhausted.
Jim attempted a rather wonderful cheesecake with a cookie dough centre. Whilst tasty I feel we are going to be have a Cookie Dough Cheesecake 2.0 *rubs hands in glee*
Friday, August 23, 2013
Happy 12th Blogaversary
12 years, oh Dear Constant Reader, is how long you have put up with my yammerings. 12 years. Thank you.
I have neglected you for the last few years, but be aware that this is a good thing. Less personal blog means Jae is relatively content. Here is my 2000 posts post from 2009 (ignore the sadness as the sad times are over!) which really gives a good run down of my blog life before my return to Folkestone!
Gosh how my life has changed since that return. In some ways it is a little surreal to be back working in the same office I worked in before I moved to London to be with Jim in 2005. But that is also quite comforting. And Jim, Mr Gibbs and I have been joined by some new additions. Ian was certainly a surprising addition. Hard to imagine that he has been here for a year already! And, of course, Ayden the Tamaskan who has brightened up our lives. Somedays, when waiting for him to get home from his exciting adventures with Doggy Nanny (which may soon end), it feels quite empty in the house without him. He is quite the character and we all love him dearly.
Thanks again, Dear Constant Reader, for always being here when I need you and for coming along on this journey with me.
I will, I double promise with cherries on top, try my best to keep you a bit more up to date with the happenings of my life. Yeah... you've heard that before... *thinks a distraction is needed* LOOK! A new Charles Dera picture!
I have neglected you for the last few years, but be aware that this is a good thing. Less personal blog means Jae is relatively content. Here is my 2000 posts post from 2009 (ignore the sadness as the sad times are over!) which really gives a good run down of my blog life before my return to Folkestone!
Gosh how my life has changed since that return. In some ways it is a little surreal to be back working in the same office I worked in before I moved to London to be with Jim in 2005. But that is also quite comforting. And Jim, Mr Gibbs and I have been joined by some new additions. Ian was certainly a surprising addition. Hard to imagine that he has been here for a year already! And, of course, Ayden the Tamaskan who has brightened up our lives. Somedays, when waiting for him to get home from his exciting adventures with Doggy Nanny (which may soon end), it feels quite empty in the house without him. He is quite the character and we all love him dearly.
Thanks again, Dear Constant Reader, for always being here when I need you and for coming along on this journey with me.
I will, I double promise with cherries on top, try my best to keep you a bit more up to date with the happenings of my life. Yeah... you've heard that before... *thinks a distraction is needed* LOOK! A new Charles Dera picture!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Dear Diary...
Guess who I saw today? In "the larder", no less.
That is pretty much all. Still working Mondays and Tuesday in Hatfield although now staying in a gym. Seriously. It's a hotel IN A gym. Nice for oogling bad for a good nights sleep. Work is all a bit odd right now as I seem to be doing a lot of new things and I'm just finding my feet.
Jim's finally been to the doctor about his arm. We'll find out what the problem is later on today.
Ayden is still being gorgeous.
The lack of snow whereever I am is getting to me. Can we have a proper blizzard over the Easter weekend please? Thank you.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Jim
Today marks 8 years since Jim and I had our first date. 8 years since my life changed forever.
I love Jim, though being rather "British" I don't show that as much as I should. I love him more than I realise sometimes. He is the most caring and thoughtful man anyone could ever hope to meet who has broadened my horizons (from San Francisco to Bangkok) and made me ever so slightly more mature than I was before. He has made me a better person.
And now here we are living with Ian, Ayden and Mr Gibbs The Bearded Dragon. My life is now more complicated than I thought it'd ever be but also way more interesting.
Thank you Jim for putting up with me for all these years, I know it's taken a great deal of patience.
:) Here's to many more years of me leaving rubbish in annoying places so that Jim can pick up and give me evils...
If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist
I love Jim, though being rather "British" I don't show that as much as I should. I love him more than I realise sometimes. He is the most caring and thoughtful man anyone could ever hope to meet who has broadened my horizons (from San Francisco to Bangkok) and made me ever so slightly more mature than I was before. He has made me a better person.
And now here we are living with Ian, Ayden and Mr Gibbs The Bearded Dragon. My life is now more complicated than I thought it'd ever be but also way more interesting.
Thank you Jim for putting up with me for all these years, I know it's taken a great deal of patience.
:) Here's to many more years of me leaving rubbish in annoying places so that Jim can pick up and give me evils...
If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist
Friday, September 07, 2012
The Mother-in-Law and the Step Son
I never liked my step Dad. We just never connected. I know some of that was based in my own selfishness and dislike of change when Mum and I initially moved in with him but it goes without saying we didn't get on.
Never being someone who wanted children and, believing (rather naively) that as a gay guy the chances of ending up with someone with kids were minimal, I never gave much thought to the scenario that I, one day, might be the evil step Dad myself.
Life definitely has a sense of humour. Jim's son Ian has moved in with us and we're currently looking for a school place for him. He's a good kid but it is still a major change to our lives (for him and us!). It is going to be interesting to see how things evolve and what impact they have on my outlook. But I have promised myself that if I end up being the most ineffective step-parent in history, I'll at least try not to be the most hated. Must not be evil!
Jim's Mum is visiting us this week and I've been off work ill the last couple of days. I love Jim's Mum, she is quite amusing and very kind-hearted. But if she talks about dinner one more time I may loss it. If she is not cooking our dinner, she is planning it and if she is cooking it she is constantly asking what time we want it and if we want this or that in it. Whatever we decide she'll then spend an hour discussing how wrong we were to decide it but it was our choice and we'll just have to live with it... AND IT GOES ON. Over DINNER.
Jim and I's usual approach to dinner is to work out what we want 30 minutes before we eat it. Sometimes Jim might have an urge to cook one of his extraordinarily good dishes (paleo chicken curry being my favourite!) and spend a bit more time doing it but it is not something we spend all day talking about and this dinner obsession is driving me around the bend.
Please stop her.
In other news... Ayden is still looking gorgeous.
If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist
Never being someone who wanted children and, believing (rather naively) that as a gay guy the chances of ending up with someone with kids were minimal, I never gave much thought to the scenario that I, one day, might be the evil step Dad myself.
Life definitely has a sense of humour. Jim's son Ian has moved in with us and we're currently looking for a school place for him. He's a good kid but it is still a major change to our lives (for him and us!). It is going to be interesting to see how things evolve and what impact they have on my outlook. But I have promised myself that if I end up being the most ineffective step-parent in history, I'll at least try not to be the most hated. Must not be evil!
Jim's Mum is visiting us this week and I've been off work ill the last couple of days. I love Jim's Mum, she is quite amusing and very kind-hearted. But if she talks about dinner one more time I may loss it. If she is not cooking our dinner, she is planning it and if she is cooking it she is constantly asking what time we want it and if we want this or that in it. Whatever we decide she'll then spend an hour discussing how wrong we were to decide it but it was our choice and we'll just have to live with it... AND IT GOES ON. Over DINNER.
Jim and I's usual approach to dinner is to work out what we want 30 minutes before we eat it. Sometimes Jim might have an urge to cook one of his extraordinarily good dishes (paleo chicken curry being my favourite!) and spend a bit more time doing it but it is not something we spend all day talking about and this dinner obsession is driving me around the bend.
Please stop her.
In other news... Ayden is still looking gorgeous.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
New Work Related Totty? Almost.
Since Rugby Boy left, work has been particularly devoid of interesting things to look at. Long gone are the days of Tube Boi. *sigh* However Friday found me in a well hidden office across the field from my own for a meeting and as I passed through one office my eyes locked with those of a hot guy in our sister company's uniform.
Now remember for our eyes to lock that would make him about 6'10". Swoon!
Our eyes only locked in the way rather tall people's tend to, sharing that moment of understanding between us that only individuals of minority groups can comprehend. Now just because I'll probably never encounter him again, as to do so would involve me going back to an office I've not encountered through combined 4 years with the company, doesn't mean I can't hold out hope that finally the work related totty drought is coming to an end! Hurrah! Just in case his totty codename shall be... Tall Boy.
In other news: Ayden and his sidekick Finn have been accosting zebras and wildebeest.
No, really.
If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist
Our eyes only locked in the way rather tall people's tend to, sharing that moment of understanding between us that only individuals of minority groups can comprehend. Now just because I'll probably never encounter him again, as to do so would involve me going back to an office I've not encountered through combined 4 years with the company, doesn't mean I can't hold out hope that finally the work related totty drought is coming to an end! Hurrah! Just in case his totty codename shall be... Tall Boy.
In other news: Ayden and his sidekick Finn have been accosting zebras and wildebeest.
No, really.
Never underestimate the adventures a Tamaskan can have in Kent.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Ayden The Tamaskan
At the beginning of April, a new character was welcomed into our family. Not without some second thoughts, we decided to get a dog. And not just any dog, but a Tamaskan. He was bought from a breeder in Bulgaria, and arrived with us at 12 weeks old. His official name is the grand sounding Saxon Midzor but he's happy to be known as Ayden.It's taken a bit of adjustment, taking him for regular walks is alright except for when it's dark and rainy and you just want to be in bed already. But he's gorgeous, well-tempered, playful, intelligent and easy to train. And he doesn't eat Mr Gibbs the Bearded Dragon which is also a huge bonus obviously! (Mr Gibbs, as if it needed stating, is ambivalent on this new addition. As long as it doesn't affect the wax-worm supply, anything goes!)
If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist
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