"Happy Birthday Dad", At 0630 this morning I was woken by my fourteen-year-old son. He quickly stuffed a shiny, star-adorned, silver gift bag in my face, told me that he loved me, rolled over onto my wife's side of the bed, and promptly fell back to sleep.

Inside the bag was a few of my favourite things, Walnut Whips, Turkish Delights and the new book by Billy Connolly. A great way to start my day!

So, today, I turn 51. I'm still fat, I still have a beard, and I still feel lost at sea, without a rudder or a compass to help me navigate. Today, I will make resolutions. Today I will fuck off the "new-years resolutions" and begin to work on Birthday Resolutions. There are a few things that I need to do over the next twelve months, the list of those things is below.

• Move more

• Eat well

• Sleep well

• Finish all of the books that I have started

• Watch a movie every day

• Write everyday

• Generate income

• Be a better husband

• Be a better father

• Be a better friend

• Get my head out of the clouds

So, there you have it. A short but manageable list, a series of small course corrections, if you will. I'm not going to change the world, but, I might be able to change enough about myself to benefit family and friends.

Until next time, adieu.