Where Did the Months Go?
Well, you know what? If you blinked, you probably missed it. Five months—gone in a flash. I keep asking myself, “Where the hell did those months go?” Maybe you’ve felt the same way lately. Time’s got this sneaky habit of slipping through your fingers, especially when you’re juggling work, family, and the odd crisis or two.
Honestly, my goal was simple: get back on my site, post a monthly summary, and keep a record of what I’ve been up to. Not just for me, but maybe for my kid someday, or anyone out there who stumbles across this and thinks, “Hey, I’ve been there.” So, here’s my October update, which—let’s be real—covers June through October. Five months in one go. If you’re reading this, I can only apologise for the radio silence. But what a ride it’s been.
Why Bother Posting? – The Diary, the Brain Dump, and the Hope for Connection
Let me explain. Part of this is just a brain dump. Sometimes you need to get things out of your head and onto a page, right? It’s also a bit of a diary—something for the next generation to look back on and maybe laugh at how “old school” DVDs were. And, if anyone out there finds a problem I’ve faced and thinks, “Yep, me too,” then maybe we can swap stories. That’s the hope, anyway.
Work Life: Projects, Progress, and a Few Surprises
Folk Music DVD Project: Sidmouth’s Finest
Work’s been a mixed bag—some good, some not so good, but always moving. The big one that’s been crawling along since last year was a DVD project for folk music down in Sidmouth, UK. You’d think DVDs were ancient history, but there’s still a place for them, especially when the packaging looks sharp and the film gets a great response. We got the disc produced and shipped just in time for the client’s big event. People loved the quality, which, let’s be honest, is always nice to hear.
And because the DVD did so well, the client wanted a simple website to stream the film. So, I built that—handled payments, protected the content, and got it streaming in HD. It’s funny how one good project can lead to another.
International Website Rebuild: The WordPress Marathon
Next up, a website rebuild for an international client with a UK arm. Their old WordPress site was a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster—over 60 plugins, slow as molasses, and just a headache for everyone. The task? Recreate the site to look the same, but make it lean, fast, and easier to manage. No fancy new designs, just a solid rebuild. I managed the project, did some hands-on work, and teamed up with a coworker to get it done. We kept things as “pure” as possible, using standard WordPress tech where we could. It’s been a slog, but we’re nearly there.
3D Animation Adventures: Smooth Moves and Client Delays
For the same agency, I’ve been working on a 3D animation project. It’s been a bit stop-start, thanks to client approvals, but the modeling and rendering have been fun. The client paid extra for a 60fps render—so everything looks buttery smooth, just like those crisp YouTube videos. The animation showcases their product’s features, and it’s already led to another project. I’ve got the CAD files of their product for the next one, so the cycle continues.
Aluminum Federation: Mapping Members and AI Chatbots
Switching gears, I’ve been working with the Aluminum Federation—a favorite client, honestly. They wanted an interactive map to show where their members are and what they do. The data was already in a table, but a map brings it to life. So, I built a custom WordPress plugin for their site. It’s not live yet, but it’s coming soon, and even government folks will be able to see the data at a glance.
On top of that, I trained up an AI chatbot for their website. Instead of just a newsletter pop-up, the bot now guides visitors to the right info and sign-up forms. It’s actually answering real questions, which is pretty satisfying to see.
Empire Base SEO: Transparency and Growth
Empire Base has been growing, with more SEO clients signing on. The best part? Monthly video reports. Instead of the usual “trust us, results are coming,” we actually show clients what’s been done and how their rankings are changing. It’s all about transparency, and I love that. No smoke and mirrors—just real progress.
Brace Media: Audio Mastering and Cinema Packages
Back in the media world, I helped a client master audio CDs and get them produced. This one was personal—a musical tribute to a family member who’d passed away. The production quality meant a lot to them, and it felt good to be part of that.
Another loyal client needed help prepping documentary films for cinema release. That meant creating DCP (Digital Cinema Package) files—a bit of a nerdy process, but always fun. Getting those files shipped out to cinemas for launch events is one of those behind-the-scenes jobs that makes you feel like a movie magician.
BloodTest.co.uk: Revamp and CRM Overhaul
I’ve also been working on bloodtest.co.uk, revamping the site and switching from finger-prick tests to nurse-led venous samples. That meant updating the homepage, product pages, and adding new sales copy. Behind the scenes, we swapped out the CRM and set up a support ticket system and SMS communications. It’s a lot of work, but it’s making the system more efficient and ready for the future.
Empire Base: Sales Pages and Custom Tools
On my own ventures, I’ve been building new sales pages for Empire Base. I’m batching them up to launch all at once, so everything connects nicely. It’s been fun steering the messaging and using AI tools to speed things up. Once those pages are live, I’ll kick off new promotional campaigns to drive traffic and sales.
To help with that, I had a custom-coded tool developed to sync data between hosting platforms and the CRM. That way, marketing automations can run smoothly, and records stay up to date. It’s one of those “finally!” moments—solving a problem that’s bugged me for ages.
AI as a Business Partner
Speaking of AI, I’ve trained up a system to act as a bit of a business coach. It challenges me, helps with tech tasks, coding, and even copywriting. It’s like having a clone of myself, but with extra expertise. I’ve absolutely loved working with it—feels like the future is here, and I’m riding the wave.
Pollux Technologies: Partners and Challenges
Pollux Tech over in the USA has slowed down a bit, though. Some partners pulled away—surprising, since they seemed so keen. But that’s business. We’re finding new partners, and the challenge continues, especially with US-based work. I know we’ll crack it eventually. Good support from friends helps—shoutout to David Bradley in the USA, who’s been a sounding board and coach. It’s a two-way street; even coaches need someone to talk to.
Personal Life: Family, Milestones, and Baby Massage
Baby Massage Sessions: Learning and Supporting
On the personal side, it’s been busy. We attended six baby massage sessions—part training, part bonding. I was there to support my wife and learn the routines, just in case our little guy needed a massage when she’s sick. Turns out, these sessions are longer than you’d think. I got to practice on a doll (not quite as responsive as a real baby, let me tell you), but it was good fun and helped me understand what my wife goes through.
At the last session, I wondered if my presence as the only guy made anyone uncomfortable. Apparently not—there should be more dads like me, they said. That was nice to hear.
Watching a Baby Grow: Slow and Fast All at Once
Our baby boy is growing at an alarming rate. I used to think human babies were pretty slow compared to other animals—calves and foals are up and running within minutes, right? But now, I get it. As a busy person, I get to witness every little milestone. If human development was as fast as other species, I’d miss it all. So, I’m grateful for the slow pace, even though time still seems to fly. Each day brings something new, and we absolutely adore him. He charms everyone he meets—fitting, since part of his name’s meaning is “loved by his people.”
Health: Gallstones and Waiting Games
On the health front, my gallstones are still hanging around. I’m waiting for an operation—been in this state since April. The major pains are gone, and I’m managing what I eat. Oddly, the pain seems more triggered by activity. Here’s the thing: I’ve had similar pains for years, always thought it was a rib issue. Now I wonder if it’s been gallstones all along – for 20 years! Maybe I’ll finally get an answer after the surgery.
Family Gatherings and Spiritual Day Trips
July brought a trip to Kent for my brother’s 40th birthday—a milestone worth celebrating. My sister from Australia was back, so we all piled in for a couple of days. Good memories all around.
We also took a rare Saturday off to visit Avebury Stone Circle. My wife’s into spiritual places, and Avebury felt far calmer and deeper than Glastonbury (which, let’s be honest, can be a bit much). The sun was out, we had a picnic, and the drive through Wiltshire was beautiful.
When Life Throws Curveballs: Crisis, Cars, and Techie Triumphs
Family Health Crisis: Hospital Runs and Support
September brought a family crisis—my father-in-law was rushed to hospital. He was in for three weeks, and we spent a lot of time supporting him and getting his house ready for his return. My wife took the lead, project managing everything. Thankfully, he’s out now.
Car Troubles and New Goals
During all that, my car was in for service and MOT, and needed a lot of work. For one trip, we had to hire a car, which made us realise it’s time for a new one. So, I’ve been working on building new income streams to pay for it. That’s the next goal.
GigaClear Broadband: A Nerd’s Dream
On the tech front, we finally got GigaClear fiber broadband installed. The old BT network was painfully slow, and even mobile reception is spotty. It felt like living off the grid. Now, with fast, reliable internet, everything’s changed—cloud storage, remote work, you name it. It’s a game-changer.
Catastrophic Computer Failure: Lessons Learned
Of course, October had its own drama. My main workstation suffered a catastrophic failure—the component running the operating system gave out. I’d sensed it was coming, even bought the replacement part, but didn’t get around to installing it. Then, boom—system down. Three days of fitting new parts and restoring data. It was a pain, but it gave me the kick I needed to set up better backups and restoration points. Lesson learned. I also upgraded some hardware to keep data safer. Tech can be expensive and time-consuming, but if you love it, you roll with the punches.
Time Flies, Lessons Learned, and Looking Ahead
So, that’s my five months—wrapped up in a whirlwind of work, family, tech, and the odd crisis. How’s your year been? Time’s flying, and sometimes you just have to pause and take stock. If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading. Hope you’re well, and here’s to whatever comes next.
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Final Thoughts
Life’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright exhausting. But it’s also full of little wins, big lessons, and moments worth remembering. Whether you’re knee-deep in projects, chasing after a floor crawler, or just trying to keep your tech running, here’s hoping you find a bit of joy in the chaos. And if you ever need to swap stories, you know where to find me.
