October 20 2006

Paul Jones at the office yesterday to do a training day for Echo journalists. Paul and I worked together 15 years ago at the Evening Chroncile in Newcastle and he's gone on to become one of the best journalism lecturers in the country.
Always great to meet up with him again. A Wigan lad, he appears constantly cheerful and his complete lack of self-importance gives him a great way in to lectures in rooms full of cynical hacks.
Strange though. Jonesey said he'd just turned 50. When we worked together he used to be 10 years older than me, now it's only five. Weird.
Suggested to him we grabbed a quick drink at lunchtime but he declined as he was driving back to Newcastle and had to lecture in the afternoon anyway. Lunch for Jonesey was once four pints of Stones Bitter and 20 Benson and Hedges. But then it was for most of us in the journalism game at that time. Times have changed.
Got masses done in the afternoon. Managed to clear a dozen things of my 'to do' list. Always feel better when I get a good run at the admin.
Had arranged to see great friend and colleague John Griffith, an ex Echo editor, after work, but he was tied up and we had to call it off. I'd already had to say no to a lovely invitation to watch Chris De Burgh give a small private concert in the Anfield Trophy Room and thought about calling up to say I was free now. Decided against, in case they thought I was messing them around.
So stayed in the office until 7.15 catching up on work then blasted home to watch Newcastle beat Fenerbache with Harry. A small ray of light in a dark and dismal season.
Thai chilli chicken with basmati rice. Shouldn't have had the rice but absolutely starving. Chicken dish was fat free and I didn't open a bottle of wine so might get away with it.
On scales first thing this morning. Half stone gone. Hurray. Stone to go. Mustn't get pleased with myself. Weekend ahead.