Countdown to Christmas

Posted on by gizzajob

I am in my home; after spending Tuesday and Wednesday at a WAVE retreat cottage, in Killough, then getting buses between Downpatrick and Belfast for the day of it. The nightwatchman for the cottage brought me back, from Downpatrick, on Wednesday night; as the taxi I ordered went AWOL.

Last Friday, I got a portfolio report; from my Financial Advisor. But, the most important investment for me is another rental property – in Moortown – which is contracted; as we speak. The sale completes on Monday. However, indemnity insurance is required; as the water maps didn’t arrive, yet. Bloody Strike.

Also, I got to buy the tracks of a Belfast Busker, on Bandcamp, last Friday. While I was there, last week, I heard her perform ‘Red Right Hand’. I also heard the Busker – from Trillick – who sang ‘Grace’ fernenst a Loyalist Parade. Only a Tyrone Lad would do that. 😐

When in Belfast, this Wednesday, I got a lunch at Wetherspoon’s. However, I initially gave them the wrong table number. Senior Moment! At 43? However, a Chicken Tika with Rice for £3.99 isn’t to be sniffed at. The smell of the beer in the place; not for pansies. 😉

Another trip, to Belfast, is on the cards; for next Tuesday. It’s a Christmas Shopping Trip with WAVE in Omagh. However, I’ll take the opportunity to have a wee butcher’s at the Engine Room Gallery’s Christmas Exhibition.

Driving back, from Killough, yesterday morning was a challenge. I went back via Downpatrick, Crossgar, Saintfield, Dobbie’s Garden Centre and the M1. Getting the bus from Downpatrick to Belfast, on Wednesday, gave me a good sense of direction; beforehand. But the cold weather did stress me out. But I got back okay.

Then, yesterday, I took my Artist Friend to get his fortnightly medication injection. I went to town to get Insurance paid for my new rental property, then collect his repeat prescription. I used the opportunity to buy Evian Water, in a shop in Cookstown, for both my wipers and coolant; much needed, the coolant box was roasting.

All in all, another week of Bedlam. But I did see Coney Island, heading to Ardglass; in the Jam Jar, on Wednesday morning. Much needed rest at Killough.

Tunes:

Busy schedule

Posted on by gizzajob

Over the past four months, since my last post, I kept at my solicitor and accountant about the remainder of the money owed, from the sale of my family home and land. My brother and I will get the money next week. The final obstacle to financial freedom is the Probate in Dublin. This is why I don’t want a United Ireland. 🙂

This afternoon, I got my ears dewaxed at a clinic outside Randalstown. I knew the back road to get there. But after FIVE suction attempts on the left ear – the right ear only required one – I felt light-headed. But I went to a shop to buy water. Then when reentering the main Antrim to Ballymena Road; my path was cut by two tourists with Caravans. But, in the end, I got on the road; after being forced into a side park. Then I got back on the route to Toome. Then I swerved downhill on the Roguery Road to avoid Traffic cones. This, while Radio X played ‘Helter Skelter’ on ‘Best of British’ hour.

I had diarrhoea when I returned home, so I’ll lie low tonight.

And we’ll have no talk of next week’s Jubilee here. 🙂

Tunes:

Kiboshed Plans

Posted on by gizzajob

After just three hours into the Covid Lab job, I was gasping for air, due to the mask, and I resigned.

My plan now is to look towards better money management. I would definitely have failed the Marshmallow Experiment. 😐 But my brother will contribute, more, towards the bills.

For now, I have to borrow a friend’s laptop – he’s my Bubble – and see what I can do. One good bit of news, for this week, is that I lost three and a half pounds.

I prayed, at Noon today, at the Chapel in The Rock. It’s part of an, Ardboe-themed, amends as one of the pews at the back is dedicated to the family of a Gaelic Football Referee. 🙂 But it was disused at this moment.

Training Day

Posted on by gizzajob

“For a Play to become successful, there has to be bad luck beforehand!” (Orson Welles)

Today, I went through the training session in the assecioning role at the Covid lab in Randox. The work itself seems simple enough. However, life in the major obstacle.

  1. I arrived three hours early due to my anxiety levels being through the roof.
  2. I found it well-nigh impossible to pay attention to the class. The demonstration and practice runs were Godsends.
  3. I was lost at the main car park; trying to find my car – parked elsewhere. Had it not been for my walking-stick, I would have fallen and broken my spine. (insurance mightn’t have covered me) It’s probably part of my autism; digging ones toes in when walking due to sensitive feet.
  4. The roads are frosty, and my local roads wouldn’t be gritted. I’m learning new driving skills as I go along, but the longer I drive the more nervous I become. (I can’t afford to make a claim)

Living in the moment can be a thankless task for myself. But I have an understanding group of people on my side.

Managing a crisis

Posted on by gizzajob

In the Eighties, there were tv commercials here for an English Insurance company called Commercial Union – with a Citroën 2CV crashing down a cliff. Their buzzline was, “We won’t make a drama out of a crisis!” That’s my motto for Covid-19 survival. It’s not precisely ‘Fight Club,’ but I am better equipped for underground lifestyles than others.

I ended up having to apply for a tax book to get my car back on the road. And the guy I bought the car from will pay me back the £25 I had to pay – by postal order – to apply. Then, I spent the road tax online. As Benjamin Franklin said, “The only sure things in life are death and taxes!” 😐

Today, I drove to the Chemist in Coagh – to collect a repeat prescription- then withdrew cash at Ballinderry Post Office to last a week, or more. My local shops deliver to the homes – until now, I paid them either by bank transfer or PayPal. Tomorrow, I will get gloves and masks from The Hub in Cookstown, buy A4-sized picture frames at the Home Bargains beside there, and get photographs at a Chemist in Magherafelt- to renew my driving licence. (the one I have expires in June)

Today, I improvised the gloves and mask rules, wearing work gloves and a Jason Voorhees Hockey Mask for this afternoon’s errands. At least, I have a sense of humour. 🙂

The picture frame is for handwritten lyrics of an album track by Mansun – I paid the singer by PayPal. (Check out his solo work) Considering that Italians and Spaniards are singing from the balconies, I need musical therapy, too. 🙂

Tunes:

Forty today

Posted on by gizzajob

“Life begins at forty! Tell that to John Lennon!” 🙂

Yesterday, I attended an event in the evening where a Born-Again Christian spoke about his path to righteousness through the life and music of Johnny Cash. I was able to participate in the entire event without any bouts of anxiety. It was good to see him again, as I had seen him last month in Magherafelt but left due to stress.

Today, my cleaner came to tidy up my place. It’s shipshape and Bristol fashion, once more; at least downstairs. Then I went out for a while. First to head to an Applegreen on the main road between Ballymoney and Ballymena – after finding out its location due to a fire at the neighboring business Sunday before last. I had some trepidation being on a road that wasn’t familiar. But I handled it well. Then I went to the Gregg’s at that Applegreen – first time for everything – and had a sausage roll. I was offered a free doughnut for my birthday. However, I said, “No!”

People say good things about June Babies. I felt resentful growing up as I thought that July Babies grew up to be more successful. Such is life. 🙂

Tunes:

Hot under the collar

Posted on by gizzajob

Today, I drove to Sion Mills and back. The drive was to attend a Strawberry Fair at the Parish Church. There was a Country String Band playing; as well as a Bagpipe Band and an Orange Flute Band. I had taken photos which are on http://www.tinyurl.com/des-flickr

I got home in one piece, after getting frustrated with driving across the Sperrins.

Then, after returning home, I walked to the cemetery in Ardboe for the annual blessing of the graves. Then my uncle lifted me back. I was glad that I had a good day. The weather was beautiful. 🙂

Also, miracle of miracles, my ‘r’ key on my MacBook Pro works again. There is no logical reasoning why that happened. It was an act of God.

Tunes:

Manic Monday

Posted on by gizzajob

This morning I woke up when the alarm sounded at 5 am and went to a phone group based in America then got ready to head out to Antrim to get a train to Belfast to speak to Specialisterne NI about the 2gether project that they’re running for those with Autism. It would be good to reach out to others with the same condition. However, the ultimate solution is to find work.

Heading over to Antrim I thought I would avoid the bottleneck by driving to Whiteside’s Corner via the Rougery Road and then turn towards Randalstown. But a van was in front of me all the way from Ardboe with a light out and, whenever he turned to a shop heading to Moneyglas, I let him know his light was out. Then I bought a cappuccino and a builder’s breakfast and just missed what I thought was my expected train in Antrim. However, the fog this morning meant the trains were delayed and I got a train fifteen minutes later.

After the induction with Specialisterne, I felt exhausted. I got a taxi to the place where I get IT help from I was trying to install Debian from my ISO image and there was an issue connecting to the internet. The good news is that I can head over tomorrow and get help prior to an Open Source series of talks about Startups there. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

The drive home from Antrim was a forced exercise. My trousers were too tight and I felt uncomfortable. However, I got home safely and did laundry. Then later I drove to Moneymore to post my travel receipts and then drive to Cookstown to buy groceries at Lidl. Then this evening I moved the lawn before it got dark as it was still dry and the grass was long.

Feeling a sense of accomplishment today. 🙂

Tunes:

 

First day in new role went well

Posted on by gizzajob

Today (Saturday) was the first day of my new voluntary job. I was so eager in anticipation that I arrived over two hours early. The lady who runs the office said that was fine and I could start just whenever I arrived. There was a Teddy Bears’ Picnic event held at Lissan House for kids in the local area. It was good for my inner child.

 

The job itself went well. I completed a task in the two hours allotted that was meant to carry on next Saturday. The office manager was impressed. She said she was the the office until 3 am the night before. I actually woke up at 2:20 am in the morning as I crashed out at 5 pm yesterday.

 

Before that I was visiting a friend, originally from Ardboe, who lives in Magherafelt. Whenever I arrived she was in her room, but her two kids let me in and I got to talk to them and pat their pet dog; a female Jack Russell. Again, I’m glad to do all this because I never had a childhood growing up and felt that I missed out on so much.

 

Arsenal lost today. But, hey s**t happens! I have come to accept that we’re no longer capable of challenging for the Premiership Title.

 

I can perhaps take it easier tomorrow. On Thursday I went for a long drive to head to Newcastle in County Down. However eleven miles from the destination I thought, “Screw this!” and pulled into a shop/filling station outside Loughinisland and drove back. I headed via Ballynahinch and Hillsborough, but then lost my bearings trying to find the way to Moira and had to turn back after a wrong turn; was honked at twice by vehicles returning from work. In the end the road I was looking for was a slip road from the main Newry to Belfast road. Why do I keep punishing myself with this forced exercises when driving?

 

Glad I survived. 🙂

 

Tunes:

 

An Tour Mór (Sonnet I wrote about driving across the Sperrins today)

Posted on by gizzajob

He who rides a tiger is scared to dismount!

Not like the fear I had driving to Aughabrack via Feeny

trundling up the hills on the road from Moneymeaney

until I approached the crossroads dissecting the Park to Dungiven road!

Heading to Aughabrack I noticed ‘Road Ahead Closed’ signs

the road towards Plumbridge was closed!

Mrs. Kerlin said it’s due to a stretch of road being widened!

Blade heading towards Plumbridge showed me a detour

where I nearly drove into a hole on the right-hand road edge!

But I got over safe thanks to that Angel sent from Heaven!

Drove back home via Greencastle

nearly missing a sharp turn and almost into a side road

as well as nearly witnessing a collision at Kildress!

“Holy Jesus! Thon’s some journey!”