Came back yesterday from 2 nights at Anne's house.  Had a nice time.  Great to see how Alex just fits in with anybody and is content hanging out with adults - who all like him and appreciate his dry sense of humour.  Joey a bit edgy with all the commotion and also, I think, get knocked out of his stride a little bit when things aren't quite what he expected.  So not a great couple of days for him - a bit niggly, a bit impatient - but not too bad.

Izzy was fantastic - just at that age when she is old enough to really understand Xmas but young enough to still believe in Santa.  She just goes with the flow and enjoys herself.

Downside was that we were staying in a furnace.  Anne's parents have their house heated more that we are used to, which is fine and understandable.  But they had left the heating on upstairs and it is a forced air heating which sucks the moisture out of a body.  Dreadful.  We managed to close down most of the vents for the second night, and open the windows, so not too bad.  But all the heat was then forced into the bathroom which was, literally, like a Swedish sauna!

I am taking Alex in to NYC today for two nights, about which he is really excited.  We will go to see the show 'Spiderman' (ridiculously expensive!) and have pre-theatre dinner at the revolving restaurant on the 48th floor of a building on Broadway.  Apart from that, he wants to........... go shopping!  Clearly gets that from his mother's genes rather than mine.  5tyh Avenue, here we come!

Nice day, on the whole.  Took the boys to se the 'Hobbit', which they enjoyed but both were disappointed by the ending which was clearly designed to set the audience up for a sequel, ending in mid-jourey, as it were.   Alex has, as always, been very easy and made Izzy very happy by agreeing to snuggle her for a bit at bedtime.  He is weakening!

Joey had a bit of a mixed day.  He is a bit tired and has a bit of a cold.  Also, he gets very excited when Alexander arrives.  End result is a bit of a return to previous behaviour, where he can over-react and then get all defensive.  And we are  a bit tired as well, and perhaps less patient.  A pity but it was always going to be a bit of a rocky path.  We are off to stay with Anne's parents tomorrow, so hopefully he will enjoy that.

Picked up Alex from the airport.  He is looking good and is straight into the 'madhouse' as he calls it, out on the tramp with our two, grace and Chris.  Good to see all the kids enjoying themselves.

Went to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia today - very impressive science museum.  And then to the Fogo de Chao churrascuria for a late lunch.  So much for my going vegetarian! They did have some delicious picanha.  It was very busy but it was funny how after we had finally managed to meet a couple of Brazilian waiters and introduced ourselves, we received top-clas service with a smaile - and loads more picanha!

Another good chat with Anne last night, again over a few glasses of wine.  Funny how that helps the conversation loosen up!  Anyway, well worth doing.  Just mulling over options for the next year or so, the challenges and frustrations.  And reminding ourselves how lucky we are.

Had a good chat with Anne over a few glasses of wine a couple of nights ago.  She had become  a bit annoyed because, basically, I was not pulling my weight.  In particular, I rarely took the kids anywhere by myself so that she had a few hours child-free.  I can't say she was wrong and will do better.  Just talking about it has made things much better and we do need to communicate better - but isn't that the case with most couples?!!

Joey sang at his school Xmas concert today.  In my, admitedly biased, opinion, he has the best voice in the school.  But what also distinguishes Joey is the gusto and comnfidence with which he sings.  Check it out on Youtube;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzP0D6Meo2Y&feature=youtu.be

Beeen busy last few days - including with real work!  Had a good meeting with the Director of the Rutgers Uni Ecocomplex who is v keen on working wwith us, and a good telcon with my KPMG contact, who thinks that they will help us.  Then spent some time getting the right message to colleagues as follow up.  My main concern is that I am working with 2 v busy academics and one rather tireed guy, so I do feel as if I am driving this forward on my own. 

Joey has been in good form, came out of school happy enough.  But when in bed, he sometimes starts moaning and saying how unhappy he is.  We try and get the balance right between comforting him and reminding him of how lucky it is.  But it us upsetting to hear him say these things.

Bit of an issue yesterday with the neighbours.  Joey came home after playing v nicely with Chris and Jack and eventually fessed up to me (having just arrived in from NYC) that Chris's Dad, Joe, had sent him home and told him to ask us to call him.  So I went over.

It seems that Joey was using some bad words, and saying 'Kill the Jews) and when told off was a bit lippy.  No idea where the 'Kill the Jews' bit came from - we certainly do not use that and I doubt if Joey knows what a Jew is.  Joe was pretty cool about it - says that they love having Joey around but that he needs to watch his words and also sometimes reacts with some anger and 'lip'.

So, long conversation with Joey.  He denied everything and became very upset when he thought that we did not believe him.  Bit of temper lost on both sides.  Gradually got through to him that, even if he was misheard, the sensible thing is to just apologise and make sure in future that there is no chance of any misunderstanding.  And not to say 'Sorry.  But I didn't do it!'.  Not fair in some ways, if he really was misheard, but that is another lesson that he has to learn - life is not always fair and you have to deal with it.  Also that you cannot be in any way cheeky to adults and not expect consequences.

We did go over and Joey was prepared to apologise, but Joe not there.  His wife was - as always - lovely and told Joey not to worry and that he was always welcome.  Also said that Chris and Jack were over at Jack's house and that he should go and see what they were doing.  Joey was not really in the mood for that but has been good as gold ever since.

Just back from a party at Bruce and Lorn's where I did not drink at all.  that's a first.  Some idiot there was defending US gun laws - particularly odd given what happened yesterday in Newtown.

Out on the town last night in New York - until 0500.  Quite a night - at a party with Irane, quite civilised, where a very pretty girl (and I mean girl, 22 yrs old) called Adream (yes, you read it right and she was) flirted outrageously with me, then met up with Phil who I used to work with at a UKMission party where I actually danced and then on to a piano bar.  Great craic.  Bit tired today, though, si have volunteered to be the designated driver when we go out this evening.

I went for a walk and by the time I came home everything was calm.  Read to Joey and put him to bed.  He apologised.  I shall find out later what happened.  Can't talk about it now as Joey has very good hearing and can hear us talk, even if we whisper.  The amount of times we will be chatting and next thing Joey shouts down 'What do you mean about xxxx?'  Cheeeky wee bugger.

Joey will insist on having the last word, which can be very frustrating at times.  He had had  agood time after school, playing with Chris and Izzy.  Then he had his 20 mins on minecraft (how I hate that game!) and was all upset when his 20 mins were up.  One thing led to another and then the whole world is against him, we are mean and he storms off to his room.  Anne is up there now.  Very frustrating, after all the progress that we have had.

Joey came home upset from school.  Nothing too serious but something haappened during recess.  Problem is that there are a few other kids, mainly Ryan and Ryan, who, whilst not really bad kids, like to wind Joey up.  And he still does not know how to respond to that sort of thing.  He remains too sensitive.  Normaaly Mrs H keeeps a keen eye on things and pulls the Ryans in if things are going the wrong way.  But she was not at school today so that didn't happen.  Like I said, I don't think that they are really bad kids but it is v frustrating that this happens.

Joey had to go to the Deputy again, Mr Maher, but I think that he was sympathetic to Joey rather than dressing him down.,

How to make Izzy happy?  Tell her she's having chips for dinner.  I have to admit, it makes me happy as well.  Especially after I made myself a tomato and avocado salad for lunch.

Played first game of Risk with Joey this evening - and he loved it!  Great, because it will be good for his maths, reading, geography and other skills.  Or it would be if the board wasn't a Dutch version!  Given to me by a Dutch friend in NYC some 20 years ago in recognition of my passion for the game.  I'll have to get him an English version for Xmas.  Or is it for me?

Joey has clearly not inherited my diplomatic skills.  At the neighbour's house on Saturday, one of the other kids was, well, rather fat.  Poor kid, 8 years old and sweating because he was trying to run after all the other skinny kids.  And then interrupting his play every few minutes to come scrounging for cakes and stuff.

So Joey asked him how much he weighed.  '107lbs', the kid replied (which, by the way, is almost twice Joey's weight).  'Wow', said Joey 'and how many doughnuts do you eat'.  'Two a day'.  'Well, that is really unhealthy, you know'.  True, but.......

Some photos of the family taken recently for charity.  I think that we look pretty good!

A bit of a setback with Joey, but also a bit of a step backwards.  He has had a tendency in the past to over-react to being hurt.  He is fine when he knows it is coming eg the dentist.  Indeed, he is very brave and good.  But any sudden shock is different.  On Saturday, we were coming back from the neighbours house, on the way to the town Xmas-tree lighting ceremony, when he ran into a sharp branch, which gave him a dig in the belly.  You would have thought that it had punctured a hole in his stomach.  Problem is, although on this occasion it was probably quite painful and worthy of sympathy, we simply don't know and therefore he did not get much sympathy, despite screaming his head off.  He then ran off, calling us mean.  Calmed down after a while but we have had to speak to him again about this.  Not only does it open him up to being laughed at by other kids, but we really can never tell if there is anything serious or not.

This had followed on from rather disruptive behaviour at school on Friday.  Nothing too serious but enough that we were told about it.

On the plus side, last night Joey actually attempted to read a proper book by himself.  Anne was reading to him at bed-time, and talking about it and she was saying that, with all his progress in reading, he would be able to read a proper book if he tried.  Now, we are not talking War and Peace here, but at least a book that has some interest for him.  Until now, he has only been able to read very simple books, where the story-line is really for very young kids and not of much interest to him.  Joey was reluctant to try and did so, Anne suspects, to prove her wrong.  But he managed it OK and was pleased with himself.  If he keeps up the progress, I think that he will soon find that he can read interesting books.  Which, in turn, will hopefully motivate him to work even harder at his school work.  So, all rather positive.

Had a nice evening in the pub last night with an English guy who I met at a friend's house.  Just chatting away about rubbish.  A few beers.  Very pleasant.

And a pleasant day today.  Anne took the kids to her parents so I had the day to myself.  Watched a bit of Man Utd beating City, watched a cracking Clermont v Leinster game, did some work and tidied up a bit.  Very relaxing.  Oh, and I want to the Bistro for an enjoyable meal whilst reading a bit of the paper.

Izzy is a wee charmer, likely many young girls.  If I do something nice for her (ie agree to give her a bit of cake or to allow her 10 mins on the TV), it is 'Oh daddy, you are the most wonderful Daddy in the world, and I love you'.
Down side is that if I tell her off or, worse, laugh at something that she has done, she will do a real pout, cross her arms, stamp her feet, look down and scowl.  Or else burst into tears and run upstairs.  rather sensitive, is our Izzy.

What is it with weight?  I can was 202lbs before going to bed last night.  And 200lbs this morning.  How can I lose 2lbs just by lying in bed for 8 hours?  Go figure.

Just been looking at my blog stats - not very impressive but then again I am not writing for others and it is after all the quality that counts rather than the quantity - Richard take note!  Anyway, seems that somebody in China took a look.  Clearly wasn't over impressed as they only took one look!

Anne's niece, Christine is staying with us.  V smart, nice kid who has just graduated from Princeton and who is setting up a really interesting company in kenya, provide a job matching service via SMS.  I have agreed to invest some money a) because I think that there is a good chance that this will be a success and b) because I think that it will bring benefits to Africa.

Had good fun retelling some of my old war stories from Africa.  I think that she was quite impressed by the number of times that somebody has stuck a gun up my nose!

Speaking of Africa, I have agreed to send a few thousand again to my wee clinic in Kinshasa.  Not sure how much I have sent over the years but it is a fair amount.  But I am satisfied that they use it well and that it helps people and saves lives.

Time for bed.  Bit of a late night yesterday and then up early to take Joey to school and then help clear paths on some D & R Greenway Preserved Land.  Anne jsut gave me a call that I was expecting.  She went out to an event on diet and behaviour or something with Lorna, her new best buddy.  Who does like a drink and is always looking for an excuse.  So, sure enough, call at 2115 to let me know she would be home late!

Good night!

So, yes, as of Monday I am officially, sort of, employed.  I have been in talks with some guys from Imperial College for some time about setting up a Bioeconomy Institute.  We need to raise the money first.  One multinational has agreed to stump up some but a lot more is needed.  said company has agreed to allocate some funding essentially for me to arise the rest - some £1.1m by end March.  Should be interesting, especially as I have no experience in this field.  Still, I will give it a lash and see what comes of it.

Had a liitle bit of turkey for dinner.  My only meat of the day.  Lots of quinoa and beans, along with vegetables and fruit.  Down to about 200lbs.  Not bad.

Just sent following to my investment advisor;

Hope all is well.  I am looking forward to your suggestions on how I should invest my money but, and I should have decided this sooner, wanted to note that I want to invest ethically as well.  That means not in any fosiil fuel industries, or in major food producers, Walmark or Tescos, or arms manufacturers, or tobacco companies.  Hope that doesn't bugger things up too much!  Let me know if it does cause complications.

About time that I did this.  Won't make a huge difference but we must all do our bit!

Just been for a walk and reflected.  I think that it is the right thing to do to go vegetarian but problem is that we already have a dairy, egg and bread free household and I am not sure that I would also manage being vegetarian.  So I think that I will make one of the fastest policy U-turns in recent history, Mitt excepted, and take a more gradual approach.  We are already pretty much organic, and don't eat much red meat so that step will be to reduce my meat consumption to the minimum.

But I do recommend watching 'The Cove'.  A very good movie - see http://www.thecovemovie.com/the_team/the-filmmakers.htm
Described as a mixture of Flipper and the Bourne Identity, it shows an undercover expedition to uncover the massacre of thousands of dolphins each year in a secret cove in Japan.  Very good.

His next movie will be about the 6th great species extinction - happening now and caused by, you guessed it, man.  Very impressive bloke.

Went to see 'The Cove' last night - film by 

Louie Psihoyos

 - the one about the massacre of the dolphins in Taiji, Japan.  I am going vegetarian.  Would like tio say more now but Izzy wants her 15 mins with 'Dora' on the I-Mac and Joey has just started his 20 mins with Minecraft on the laptop.  Two computers in the house and none for me.  

Another good day.  Kids were great.  Had a good workout.  Anne and I had some quality time together.  Off to an interesting event in Princeton this afternoon.  Oh, and BP have agreed to fund my work on fund-raising for the Bioeconomy Institute!  A job at last!  Details to follow.

The kids in London.

She did indeed open the bottle of wine and we watched 'Prime Suspects'.  But only one bottle and one episode.  We are getting old.

But it pays off.  Felt good this morning and the kids have been in great form all day.  Singing, playing with each other, having a ball.  Anne took them to the movies and they went straight out afterwards to play with Chris and Grace, running around, on the trampoline, on the play frame.

Particularly pleasing was the way that Joey responded to a bloody nose caused by an accident on the trampoline - a collision with Chris.  No over-reaction at all.  Took it like a man, despite quite a bit of blood coming out.  Real progress.

I have a weak wife.  She is opening a bottle of wine. 

Spaeking of healthy food, our 5 yeaar old Izzy yestarday ate for dinner broccoli, cabbage, corn and black beans, along with minced meat with some tomatoes, onions and mushrooms.  Not bad!

Saturday evening.  Kids in bed after a good day and we are settling down to a cup of herbal tea ands an episode of 'Prime Susoects' on Netflix.  Oh, how the mighty have fallen.  But the reality is that these trips are not so easy to recover from anymore.  Between over-dry hotel rooms, jet lag, young kids and the odd night out, I don't sleep that well and am exhausted on return.  I need  a week to recover!

Oh, and I do feel the change in diet as well.  In particular, the last 3 days when by myself, I did not eat the healthiest.  Not as bad as I used to but nowhere near as well as at home.  And I finished it with a massive fry-up at the best greasy spoon in London - the Regency Cafe in Pimlico.  I highly recommend it.

Trip to UK was really good.  Anne and kids enjoyed it, on the whole.  Highlights were;

- spending time with our old Brazilian Nanny, Luana, before she returns to Brazil
- seeing Sharon and family, and my Dad
- having a churrascaria dinner with old friends - Geoff, Harriet, Dermot (first time meeting up in 25 years!), Futz and Sarah, Conor,  Gladys and John, Richard,  Hursty and Niamh etc.  Good craic.
- really good meeting with Imperial guys which means that I might have some work!
-  going to see Shrek the Musical with the kids
-  having Alexander over for the weekend - we went to England v S Africa, spent a night with my Dad, visited the British Musical Experience and took the cable car across the Thames (very good!)

All in all a good trip.

Crisp weather today and kids are outside playing with Chris and Grace.  Is there anything better than the sound of laughing children?  If you are English, perhaps watching England take the All Blacks apart, as they did today.  Outsanding performance.