Calm amid the storm

Posted on by gizzajob

Hurricane Ian is tormenting the Caribbean, an Asteroid was destroyed by NASA and President Biden still has his head buried in the sand.

However, I’m serene. I don’t look at the news anymore, and I love life; now. I helped my Artist Friend yesterday, by taking him to the Mental Health Unit – and Tesco – in Cookstown. Then we went to an Art Class, in Moneymore, together. I was running on pure adrenaline – as I had little sleep the night before. And dealt with melters on the road tailgating me. But it was service, gladly rendered. Also, the Art Teacher said that he used to attend Arts and Crafts Fairs at Glenmornan Gaelic Football Ground; which I photographed last month, and attempted to paint at the Class.

I feel that doing things I enjoy, rather than exert myself with daily grinds, helps me. Also, I gave up Red Bull, Hot Food Counters and Coffee over the past few months. I respond, rather than react.

Tunes:

Victory in Europe

Posted on by gizzajob

Today is the seventy-fifth anniversary of VE Day. It was the day we tore the Fascists down. 😀

On Sunday evening, I had watched a live stream of an art battle in Manchester. All pieces of artwork are for auction this week. However, I impulsively made bids on two lots, which is just another expense for me. However, I contacted the auctioneer, and he was grateful to cancel my bids after I explained my situation. Plus, I made two online donations to UnitedWeStreamGM over the past weekend, and there was an issue with Virgin Giving. Has there been a spat over Sir Richard Branson’s support of the Tories? Who knows.

There have been a few deaths recently, over the past month. However, I won’t get into hysterics over COVID-19. The mum of a neighbour of mine died yesterday evening, and she had been battling cancer. There are other ways to die.

I’m concerned about the possibility of vaccination being a requirement for travelling, or even finding public sector work. However, these demons are only defeated through prayer and fasting. 😀

Tunes:

Applying for PIP

Posted on by gizzajob

In a fortnight’s time, I will have an assessment for Personal Independence Payment in Dungannon at 8 am. My employment advisor will be coming with me. Personally, I would much rather be working. But I still need to resolve certain issues in my life.

My brother begins his Placement Year at Randox Laboratories in Antrim and will be on vacation in New York at the end of July. Suppose I shall have to be happy for him as I was the one that picked him up at his lowest ebb. It gives me some achievement.

These past few weeks, during Lent, I decided ‘No Meetups’. Next Tuesday I will be resuming Meetups and heading to Dublin for a Graphic Design Meetup. My two Adobe EdEx qualifications have helped build my portfolio.

Also, in a fortnight’s time, my Art Class in Moneymore resumes. Haven’t painted since January. I was busy as Hell then and had little Muse.

Tunes:

 

Acceptance this Christmas Time

Posted on by gizzajob

Acceptance is the hardest thing to do, but acceptance DOES set you free. After a strenuous week of Meetups and chores, my employment advisor made me realise that I am PHYSICALLY INCAPABLE  of working full time. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I am managing okay, as it is, in my life.

Last Thursday I attended a Coffee event in Belfast run by Specialisterne. We explained to an organiser, originally from Seattle, that French Fries were Belgian and served to US Soldiers in WWI by Walloons. Net Neutrality was also discussed. Shame the Verizon Lobby won that vote. 😦

With one week to go until Christmas, I wanna take it easy until the new year. My brother came home last night and this afternoon I found out that his old mentor from the SUSE Program’s gran died during the weekend and I went over to the wake with a mass card. Thank God the weather this afternoon was mild. The road the wake was at is in the arsehole of nowhere.

Also, I thought of freelance writing as a career option. But that proved to be just another cosmetic expense. At the moment I wanna focus on being social and my artwork.

Ladt Friday I attended a painting session in Dun Laoghaire. On the train back to Portadown there was a guy with a Christmas Jumper saying, “Merry Chris-Marx!” Another Champagne Socialist in Ireland. lol

Tunes:

 

Art exhibition

Posted on by gizzajob

This evening I attended an art exhibition of paintings done by my colleagues at the art class in Moneymore. It was at Lissan House; the Stately Home I was looking to volunteer at from next week on. I wasn’t 100% sure of the driveway and was getting anxious and nervous passing through the forest. However, I got there safely. Low and behold, the office manager I will be talking to on Monday morning greeted me at the door and is a daughter of my art Teacher. Small world. 🙂

 

I got to speak to my friends, as well as a guy from Stewartstown who’s a distant cousin on neghbours of the relative I regularly visit. It was great to be visible in that way. I even found out that one of the class’ organisers is a great-grandmother and she is barely above sixty.

 

Great to have made myself present and hopefully have made a good first impression; first impressions count.

 

Tunes:

 

 

Up and down throughout Christmas

Posted on by gizzajob

On Boxing Night I was sick as a dog because there was a vomiting bug going round. My aunt-in-law and cousin got the same bug.

 

2017 has had a baptism of fire because I bumped into a car to my left when reversing out of a car park in Magherafelt. The guy who owned the other car said I left a mark, but God willing that will be that. But the stinking thinking returned. However it has prompted me to return to painting and to push the boat regarding practicing manoeuvring and strreing; things I ALWAYS sucked at since driving lessons.

 

My painting

 

car_bump