So... It's been over a year since my last post

Well, that's terrible! So much for posting regularly.

Although, to be honest not all that much has happened except for Gemma and I promoting to Black Belt in November.

It was an amazing day! We drove ourselves up to Liverpool which was a daunting task for me, but it was absolutely fine. We competed during the day and done okay - I got a Silver in Forms and Techniques. Gemma got a Copper for Staff Spinning, a Bronze for Forms and a Gold for her Techniques which she was delighted with.

In the evening when my nerves had reached the limit and Gemma was still calm as can be, just before we were called up to collect our certificates from the Grand Master - Kuk Sa Nim, our feelings switched. I was fine and Gemma was so panicked that she galloped up to the head table leaving SBNs Jon & Helen Denny and myself in the dust. Hehehe.

Afterwards, we all met up at the Indian for the customary post Liverpool Exhibition curry.

Since then, we've been helping out even more. Gemma and I now run the kid's fun nights and are far more involved in the high grade children's class. We even help with the adult coloured belts.

JDKJN has also accepted us into his Instructor program which is very exciting!

...

Work is still going wonderfully and I couldn't be happier. I finally met with the chaps from Betcom. Gemma and I travelled up and I spent a couple of days working in their office. They are awesome and we all got on really well.

Gemma is no longer at the Vets. She was treated terribly there and it showed no signs of getting any better. Finally, enough was enough and I just told her to leave before it made her ill again. She then went on to do some work with Stephen - helping to arrange things for a film he was making. That project has finished now and she is enjoying being a housewife. I love having her home with me while I work.

...

Last year we also said goodbye to my other dear old Granddad. I think about him often and it always puts a smile on my face. He suffered for so long that it is comforting to know that he's finally at peace. Even if I do miss him terribly.

...

Sadly, I've gotten a tiny little bit flabby again due to too much 'easy' food, so am back on the Herbalife hardcore. I'm also trying out a Jawbone Up24 which is buggy as all hell but quite good when it works correctly :p    The sleep monitor is quite interesting - turns out I sleep better than I thought I did.

...

We also had a wonderful experience last year when we took Gemma's dad to fly some owls. One of the other guys there kindly shot some of it on video for me:

I absolutely love the Barn Owl (it would be my patronus ;p ) so this was a wonderful moment for me.

We also went a bit crazy with collecting Lego. Our sitting room is now full of it which is AWESOME!

.

Whoops! It's been a while...

Apologies for not updating in AGES!

I suppose the biggest piece of news is that in November I decided to go freelance. I was offered an incredible opportunity to earn more money doing more varied work, while still keeping my hand in fruit machine design, and without having to find my own clients (which I find very daunting); I am still working with my former employer a couple of days a week and with an old friend for the rest of the time.

It was really stressful making the decision. Both wanted me working with them. Finding the best compromise I could was incredibly difficult and I found it exhausting and very upsetting.

But, it's done now and I am enjoying my new set up very much. I'm incredibly busy working six days a week, but it's worth it. Soon, I'll begin drawing a wage which will be great! Might even treat myself a little. Haha!

I've set up a simple website - www.stuartbuskell.com

...

Kuk Sool is going great. We had our first National grading in October which was hard work and resulted in me receiving my first ever blood blister, which was pretty nasty and popped a few weeks later in class, all over the mats. Healed up nicely now though.

We didn't travel up to Liverpool for the UK tournament in the end although we did pay for it and booked a room. It was Gemma's best friend's 30th birthday party on the same day and we simply couldn't miss that. This year's European tournament will be held in Norwich so we will definitely be there!

The curriculum was also updated recently meaning that we are learning some sword now. I thought that the staff would be my favourite weapon, but I must admit that the sword seems a little more natural to me and I'm enjoying it a lot!

We've had a few awesome Black Belt Clubs. Especially the most recent one where I was very fortunate to get chucked about by SBN Dave!

...

We are still very much into Herbalife and feeling absolutely awesome! I've lost around a stone and a half in total, which certainly wasn't my goal, but more importantly, my body is far more toned now. Even though I don't do any extra exercise. My thirty inch waist Levi's I bought last year are becoming a little 'gapey'!

Gemma is climbing up the promotion ladder steadily and we are both getting a great buzz from helping people to be healthy and happy.

...

Gemma celebrated her 30th birthday in December with a 'Harry Potter Yule Ball' themed party which was lots of fun. She finally wore her Hermione dress and I surprised her by having a Viktor Krum costume made for the night. Everyone made a real effort to dress up and it was excellent (even if Gemma did have a bit too much to drink and felt very ill the following day! Haha!).

...


Gemma had a tough few months with work. Working at the Florist ended up being incredibly stressful for her and in the end she had to give it in as it was beginning to make her ill. It was very difficult as she thought it was going to be her dream job and worked hard at college and part time in the florist, to make it happen.

She's currently working on reception at a vets. She loves seeing the animals and often comes home telling me stories of puppies and kittens she has cuddled throughout the day.




.

Quick July Update

It has been a little while since I posted and a lot has happened, but I will endeavour to keep this short.


In June we entered the 2013 Kuk Sool Won European Tournament. Both Gemma and I received medals for everything we entered which is great.
Gemma was awarded:

• Form - Goh Geup Hyung = Bronze

• Techniques - Joo Muhk Maga Ki Bohn Soo 5, Jeung Geup Sohn Mohk Soo 1 & Jeung Geup Sohn Mohk Soo 6 = Bronze

• Staff Spinning - 1-5 = Bronze

• Sparring = Silver

I won: 

• Form - Goh Geup Hyung = Gold

• Techniques - Joo Muhk Maga Ki Bohn Soo 9, Jeung Geup Sohn Mohk Soo 1 & Jeung Geup Sohn Mohk Soo 6 = Silver

• Staff Spinning - 1-5 = Bronze

• Sparring = Bronze

On Monday 1st July, Gemma and I promoted to Dahn Bo Nim - Black Belt Candidates, and so have begun the final stretch towards gaining our Black Belts.

...

Gemma has just been offered a more permanent official position at Violet's Florist which is excellent. She will finally be working in her dream job and I couldn't possibly be more happy for her. My work is still going well.

...

We are still doing well with Herbalife. I am at around the weight I want to be now - 10st 3lb, but more importantly I am getting closer to the body I want. I'm even beginning to develop a visible six pack! Haha. I've had to throw out my old pre-Herbalife goal jeans as they are so big that they are uncomfortable.

.

New Job

It's been a funny old month or so since my last post. I unfortunately was made redundant and spent the majority of the 'consultation period' looking for another job.

I had an interview in Coventry which went very well, but they wanted me to relocate which I didn't really want to do. I also got invited to interviews in Sweden and Moscow!

Today, I started at a new company doing similar work but for a lower wage. I do get to work from home though which I think will be great! Fingers crossed it will all work out as well as I hope.

.

Down, then up... and then down

Well, the year started badly with my dear Granddad's funeral, then it started to go really well: Ordered a new TV, Kick Start, back to Kuk Sool and enjoying learning the new Blue Belt form and techniques, finally got my computer to play Star Wars: The Old Republic...

...then today we are told that the company is downsizing. There is a very real possibility that I may lose my job.

I don't feel depressed about it necessarily, but I am quite scared and worried about what I'll do. This is pretty much my dream job. I get to draw and paint all day and I get paid well to do it.

Looking at Job websites, everything close to what I would want to do requires all sorts of programming skills which I simply do not have. Jobs around here also don't pay anywhere near what I earn currently so we may have to move, sell the car, etc, etc...

I don't think I've ever been so worried for my future before. It is not pleasant.





.

Back to Wolves

I spent the last week or so in Wolverhampton to work at head office. I needed to familiarise myself with a new technique of processing the graphics for our games. It results in a very cool looking style reminiscent of the old analogue games.

I picked it up pretty quickly and the game was very close to being playable before I left yesterday, which was good. It is looking fantastic! I'm really pleased with the artwork and am glad that I was able to work on the project. Hopefully, I'll be able to work on more like this one in the future.






.