BoardFree BoardFree BoardFree

This week is all about BoardFree! Sometimes life throws things at you that are hard to deal with, but then sometimes it throws you something amazing like BoardFree. The last week has been very hard, but BoardFree has kept me smiling all week...

Dave had an exciting and eventful weekend in London, and even got a quote from Tony Hawk, which says to me the speed at which the BoardFree phenomenon is growing. This week I have also had some time to spend doing things, like looking for TV and Radio shows to get on board, looking for potential sponsors, and continuing the search for celebs to donate signed memorabilia for auction. The other big thing is to try and sell some more calenders - they are tasteful but funny - please buy one! (above is a pic of me preparing for my shot in my office...)

BoardFree is a different thing for different people. For some its a record breaking journey, for others it is a massive charity project. For the team, I believe it is both of these things, but also a life changing journey. Somehow, Dave has managed to carefully put a team together of witty passionate and dedicated people that get on incredibly well and who I really can't wait to spend 4 months with!

Its all so exciting. And its not just the team I'm excited about. I can't wait to raise money. I can't wait to get on the road. I can't wait till the next time I go along the seafront with Dave, and people give his board a funny look, and I jump in and go "have you heard about BoardFree?!" I love that bit the most. I love talking to random people and seeing the look on their faces and knowing that they are going to go home and check out the website. I love that even strangers want to be part of it.

And to end on this positive note, and for those fans of the BF Diet - today I proudly bought a big pair of "Bridget Jones" pants which are amazing! Highly recommended for those of you that don't get the BoardFree high - they work wonders!

Another week in the Boardfree Diary...

213 days til BoardFree Australia
96 days til BoardFree UK
Where is all the time going?

Its very difficult sometimes to do a full time job and be 100% dedicated to BoardFree. But on Saturday I spent hours on the web, looking for more famous people to donate signed merchandise and pics, and looking for TV programs and radio stations to cover this amazing adventure. It was good to spend some time with Dan too - our latest Roadie. Its such a wicked group of people in the team - I can' wait to spend 4 months with them all sharing this phenomenal experience.

Dave has been in London all weekend - and it sounds like its been a good one in terms of spreading the BoardFree word. My Mum is pretty good at that too - I'm totally blessed to have such an amazing family behind me - that are all as obsessed with BoardFree as I am.

So with the count down timers ticking, its time to step into action with raising my £3000. I'm hoping to do a massive event in June this year - but its all a bit top secret at the mo, so watch this space for more details...

If you too are a BoardFree fanatic, and want to get involved - by one of our saucy, but tastefulcalendarss, or a t-shirt, or a wristband, or dare Dave to do something Stupid, or sponsor a section of the journey, or put Dave up for a night in BFUK, or just donate online, perhaps you could evenorganizee an event. The list of ways is endless - so get involved!

5 become 6

It's been a weekend of Boardfree fun, and lots of news to tell...

So on Saturday I was slightly annoyed to have to get up early and put on a suit to attend a meeting to do with work. three hours later I was set free to go home, change and meet my mates in town for lunch. I was then going to get a bit of shopping in before my phone started ringing whilst in the changing rooms of new look. It was Dave - and with that I left the shop and dashed home to get changed for the third time in 5 hours - this time into "sensible clothing". I feel like one of those dolls that you change for every occasion.

So before you know it i'm on the beautiful seafront with the team - Si had come up from Falmouth and Dave and Phil were there too. Dan( see pic) was also present - which was frustrating as I knew that we were going to tell him later that night that he was coming to oz with us, and I'd already put my foot in it several times....

So we spoke to some people, and the boys got some skating in, as well as some filming (when Si remembered to press play!) Later that eve we were all together at Daves house, and having our first filmed team blog - it was a real giggle especially as Dan was behind the camera. Dave told him whilst he was filming. Dan is a lege and i'm so glad hes going to be part of the team. So yes, 5 have become 6, and hopefully soon, 6 will become 7 when we find a photographer.

On Sunday I was honoured to watch the BoardFree boys play football, so honoured that I even offered to film all 90 mins of it. Bearing in mind i know very little about footy this was always going to be a challenge. To be honest Iwas a bit bored and very cold. But none the less, I am told that my commentary was so amusing that Dave and Dan decided to spend hours editing it to get 11 minutes of what i am told is pure comedy - have a look at my team page if you need a giggle.

As for the Boardfree Diet, its going well - no cigarettes, lots of good wholesome food, a couple of kilometres of swimming, and a pound or two dropped - things are going good. However, this week is going to be a testing one. It brings challenges that I do not know how to face. We shall see...

The BoardFree Diet

So, on the 1st of January, the UK goes mad. It starts advertising Easter, fitness video's and the latest diet fad. The nation tries to change their lives, and you know that by June no one will care.

I'm most guilty. My new years resolutions conformed to the stereo typical Brit. Last year I was told I was clinically obese, and smoked like a chimney as a result. I've been on every diet under the sun - from atkins to herbal life, and yeah, I lost the weight, but didnt keep it off and it didnt make me happy.

Then Boardfree came along. And I'm doing well.

Its been 10 days without a cigarettes, And i've been eating well - I even excercised and tonight i am getting into a swimming pool for the first time in three years. I have to admit that on friday I had a few fags with my champagne - and I've had a bit of chocolate. But i'm not smoking 20 cigarettes a day, and i'm a couple of pounds lighter already. Last night, as a treat, and to celebrate the new series of the OC, Annie and I had domino's pizza. Then watched celebrity fit club. Then another program about obesity. And i didnt feel guilty about my texas bbq pizza because i knew that i could get back on the wagon today.

So while the nation is going crazy over the latest diet craze, and we are made to feel guilty by putting people with weight problems on TV, I have some moral words for those of you that do want to diet.

Ignore it all. Find your dream and follow it. Its the only motivation you need.

Dont let the reason to diet be because you want to look like Posh Spice, or find a nice man,or you think it will make you happy or because the media tells you its wrong to be big. Do it because it can change you life, make your dreams come true, make you healthy andmost of all, because you want to.

Im gonna lose the weight and quit the fags and get the excercise because BoardFree is my dream and is going to have a massive impact on my life. And part of that is wanting to feel good. The BoardFree diet has been born...

Happy 2006

So its 2006, 4months till bfuk. 8 months til I fly to the otherside of the world and Dave skates a silly amount of miles. £3000 to raise. 2006 is going to be a busy and exciting year.

New years resolutions? Yes:
1. Priorities. Sometimes there are more important things in life, that we take for granted and often neglect. Hence my resolution to remember whats important. And raising £3000 for charity is pretty high on that list!
2. Quit smoking. I realised I have no will power. But I'm up to 43hrs....
3. Get fit. I need to. For Australia if nothing else.

Things are a bit weird at the moment - I think its really only just properly hit me that boardfree is a part of my life. Over xmas my wonderful Mum and I really went mad for selling wristbands, t-shirts and calenders. And between the pair of us, we made nearly £180! Mainly t-shirts. Just got to keep trying to sell more. And get on with the fundraising.

Im seriously considering trying to organise a mass skate along Southsea seafront in Portsmouth - there is a big skate park there - and I might even try and do it myself - and get my family to sponsor me. I had my second lesson yesterday. It was ok. ish.

Im also trying to do a big event at the Uni where I work. Watch this space...

So much to think about, so much to do. What would be wicked is if Little Britain invited Dave to visit the travel shop and he could try and blag a free flight, and all you hear is "computer says no". Comedy genius.