May 2 2012

Bryn :: Goodbye (and thank you) M and C. Hello! Creation IP

Yesterday was a landmark day. I became fully self-employed. My income going forward will come from Creation IP, and intellectual property and business advice firm of which has a team of one (me) and network of thousands (you). My first steps relying on the skills I have developed at Marks & Clerk and Wobbly Williams are tentative ones. There is much to do but activities have to concentrate on supporting a family and raising money for Steven Gill.

The first day was fabulous. I spent much of it in my favourite coffee shop having a succession of meetings. A director of a law firm, a director of a production consultancy, a director of a product design business and a director of fundraising for a charity. More directors than a night at the Oscars. Continue reading →

Apr 21 2012

Bryn :: My Wee Blonde Pal

In October 2008 I ran a first – my first half marathon, the Great North Run. I ran it on my own and it was bloody awful.

Since then I have run 15 half marathons and 5 marathons. I have also run 10 miles or more on training runs on 30 occasions. 50 runs of 10 miles or more.

49 of those 50 runs my wee blonde pal, Karen, has been with me.
The one time she wasn’t was Tromso which was dark, cold and lonely.

Tomorrow, I am running without her again. And this time it’s a marathon. 26 miles without her boundless enthusiasm, perpetual grin and endless chat.

Would I have run 5 marathons without her? No. Probably not even one.

Would I have been as fit and healthy? Definitely not.

Would I be fighting my Parkinson’s with such gusto!?Undoubtedly not.

So, when I pick up marathon medal six tomorrow afternoon, the happiness will be tinged with a wee bit of sadness. That my wee pal isn’t there to share the victory.

Apr 18 2012

Bryn :: This Will Wipe The Smile Off Her Face

Miss Scotland glows. The sort of glow that is truly infectious. It is coming up to the first anniversary of her involvement with Wobbly and in that time her enthusiasm, personality and love of life have been an asset to the team and to me especially.

Except during that long trudge up the last night of Kilimanjaro. Continue reading →

Apr 9 2012

Bryn :: A Great Day At The Wobbly 5K

Our first attempt at organising an official/authorised race was a great success with yesterday’s Wobbly 5K at Bella Huston Park in Glasgow. The course went past the Palace of Art, the magnificent House for an Art Lover based on the designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Bob’s dad who looked magnificent in his yellow marshal’s bib. Continue reading →

Mar 13 2012

Bryn :: Shoes

Boy, is my office a midden or what? Suitcase after suitcase has been carted home from the 8th floor of the Aurora building to the back room at Roman Drive as ten years of memories goes home. The first suitcase full was an anticlimax as I only managed to get the three pairs of running shoes that had accumulated in the office over recent months. Continue reading →

Feb 24 2012

Bryn :: My Secret Life

I have been leading a secret life for the last few months which will become part of this blog over the next few weeks. Decisions about my future have been for most in my mind and discussions, lengthy lengthy discussions, have been taking place. Kilimanjaro made me realise just how stressful my working life is. At times on that mountain I was symptom-free. Because I was stress-free.

Continue reading →

Feb 10 2012

Bryn :: Code Black

I do love Cineworld. After poking fun at my fellow Unlimited card holders who inhabit the monstrous tower that is Europe’s tallest cinema (it holds some record like that; tallest, largest, yellowist etc), yesterday the staff gave me reason to chortle. The occasion was a trip to see The Iron Lady, the Mrs Thatcher story, a great film that dwells a bit too much on the present and her Alzheimer’s to be a comfortable watch. The best line Mrs T delivers is when discussing the age of celebrity we are now in, “it used to be that people wanted to do something, now they want to be someone”. Continue reading →

Feb 5 2012

Bryn :: Fighting For Space

I’ve lived with girls all my life. My five beautiful sisters were first, followed by flat mates and housemates through Uni and single life, and now Vicky, Ella and Beako. In all that time I was never exposed to their clothing. Or, to be more precise, the volume of clothing.
Continue reading →