Using initiative

Posted on by gizzajob

The Bank’s solicitors – Swine – sought Death Certificates for a brother and sister of my granddad; who were mentioned on the maps for the sale of my home and land. However, I made the initiative by contacting a relative – who keeps in contact with my connections on granddad’s side of the family – and also applying for a death notice online – with a £7.50 PayPal payment – for the sister. Once I obtained the Word Document, I password-protected the file (GDPR) and emailed it to my solicitor’s secretary. God-willing, there’ll be no more bureaucratic hurdles to jump.

The purchase of the bungalow I sought has been agreed, subject to survey, thanks to a £2,000 cheque from my uncle; which I promise to pay back. It was for a holding deposit. It’s looking up.

For now, I have to live hand-to-mouth; until my next PIP payment. I depended on a Food Bank on Tuesday, and would have to rely on another one next Wednesday. However, I’m grateful for the option.

Moving is the most stressful moment in life; after bereavement. I can now vouch for that. Sorting out the wreckage of my family’s financial past is long and arduous. But I am learning so much about myself, as I go along.

I thought, as a kid, I would have the dream life. My Adult life was a Nightmare, by comparison, but it has forged me.

Sell, sell, sell!

Posted on by gizzajob

At the end of this week, someone will have bought our home and land. Since Sunday, I was at my support bubble friend’s home. It was the usual time away from the chaos at home. I feel better.

Yesterday, I learned how to install a .MSI package on Windows 7; to put LibreOffice 7.1 onto my mate’s laptop. His MS Office might end up locked; as it can’t be activated. When the Student’s ready, the Teacher appears.

I am trying to bring back memories of better times. On Monday morning, I saw Chatterbox – from GTA3 – on YouTube. And, this afternoon, I listened to ‘Original Pirate Material’ by The Streets. I had no responsibilities back then. However, since then, I’ve grown as a man.

Now, I’m on the hunt for a new home. And I could buy the house, there and then, with no Mortgage. Important to remember; whenever the Housing Bubble bursts.

I fear for the future, but enjoy the present. I don’t want to be vaccinated. However, resistance won’t happen through Parler. Resistance will happen through Prayer.

Beginning a new job – then physical ailments

Posted on by gizzajob

On Saturday, I was meant to begin a weekend job making PPE masks. However, during the induction, I developed diarrhoea and had to leave before I even started. Then I did a Covid test on Saturday afternoon – after developing symptoms – at Craigavon MOT Centre. Thank God, it was negative. 🙂 However, I need to slow down.

The feeling of disappointment left me suicidal on Saturday. Yesterday – Sunday – I was a mess. However, I feel better this morning. Fizzy Vitamin C tablets are Godsends. (I found out, from a friend, that the pills I contemplated taking wouldn’t have killed me)

Thank God that I can get a haircut this afternoon. Haircuts and shaves always make me feel better. My brother returned home Sunday before last from Derry – he got a 2:1 in Software Development at Magee – and using his beard trimmer was the answer to my prayers. I got one, just like his, on Amazon. But, since he returned home, I have slacked off on the housework a bit.

The most important thing is that I’m above ground, and I still have a chance. I also gave up my walking challenge as my health deteriorated since I began. It’s too warm for a coat, but too wet for a t-shirt. Welcome to Ireland! 😐

Mr Devlin goes to Stormont. (On Canada Day – Somme Day too)

walk_a_million_des_the_proclaimer_085

Tunes:

Sunday

Posted on by gizzajob

Today is American Mother’s Day. I remembered that when talking to my Canadian friend today; she can’t visit her mum’s grave, because Canada still shuts down the cemeteries. At least we’re making more process.

Last night, I was meant to see an Otis Redding Tribute Act in Belfast. Perhaps I was licking my wounds by having a rough weekend. However, I have come out better. This evening, I will try and bid for the one affordable lot from the Art Battle auction done by Manchester Artists. It’s for the NHS and helping the nighttime economy in that city.

I am on the reserve list for the PPE mask-manufacturing jobs in Magherafelt. If someone chickens out, I might get shortlisted. Fingers crossed.

My brother’s final University exams are this coming week. He’ll graduate next month – no formal ceremony. He’ll be home at the end of June. He deserves to put his feet up once he’s back home.

Tunes:

July Madness – And a new chapter in my life

Posted on by gizzajob

The Twelfth was last Friday – the day celebrating the Victory of William III over James II in 1690. As eggs are eggs, there are sectarian conflicts then. A Catholic man was savagely attacked in Kilkeel; while a Protestant Couple from Castledawson were chased out of their home by a Republican Mob. Most in Northern Ireland holiday away during then. I stayed at home. Although I bought groceries at Springisland Store that morning.

On Sunday, I went to People’s Park in Dun Laoghaire for a picnic with a Meetup group. The Meetup itself was run by an American woman who Lectures at a Protestant Theological College based in Carolina. (not sure which one, though) She said she has done missionary work in Africa and is in Ireland to do consultancy for the College.

Yesterday – Tuesday – I signed off the Condition Management Programme. I have now progressed to Antrim New Horizons. If I don’t start with them next Monday, it will be a few months later.

Last week, I was at the Apple Store in Belfast, as my MacBook Pro has a broken r key. Turned out that the MacBook Pro is too old to be fixed. However, I was advised to buy a remote keypad. Then, I ordered a Logitech keypad from Amazon. It arrived on Thursday. Then I had to use DuckDuckGo to learn how to open the battery latch. (Bluetooth didn’t work on my MacBook Pro)

Also, last week, I got to see my Cousin’s kids from Dubai. They were with the seven-year-old son of my other Cousin, and they were playing Minecraft on their Tablets. Being modern kids, the boy from Dubai called his Cousin a, “Douche!” while the girl said, “OMG!” I got some laughs out of that.

 

Tunes:

 

No more trips to Belfast (for now)

Posted on by gizzajob

I have to take a break from visiting Belfast as I need to batten down the hatches, financially. The stress and strain of heading out there for Meetups is getting the better of me. My main priority for now is planning for my car’s MOT. Waiting for the letter to arrive.

My last trip to Belfast was a fortnight ago to see John Cooper Clarke. Most of what he did was exactly the same as his gig in Dun Laoghaire three years ago. Plus, I spent such a long time in Belfast, I had to leave early to get the eleven PM bus back to Toomebridge.

I went to a depression support group on Tuesday. It was in Gracehill – between Ahoghill and Ballymena. However, it was too far away for me and evening appointments trigger my anxiety.

The Condition Management Programme, however, might open doors for me. 🙂

Also, my brother turned thirty last weekend. He got the cake I sent for him on Tuesday.

Plus, I have to depend on the WordPress app for maintenance of this blog. That makes things more difficult.

Tunes:

John Cooper Clarke – Hire Car

Joe South – Games People Play

The Happy Mondays – Kinky Afro

Christmas on my Own-io

Posted on by gizzajob

I’ll be on my own this Christmas. However, I’m content with that. Though, I may visit my friend from the art class and have a good chat. But isolation is a major issue for me. Solitude is more than a Soccer Ground in North Belfast. 🙂

My job ended on Thursday – 20 December – and, in a surreal manner, I’m mourning the loss of that job more than I mourned the loss of my gran. Though it doesn’t compare to whenever I lost my mum. I did such a stellar effort in the job I feel that whenever I’m onto a winner, some spanner is placed in the works. Such is life.

Tomorrow, I head to Dublin as the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire is screening the original Home Alone Movie. I have NEVER seen it prior, not even on TV. This is inner child work for me. 🙂

I have come to accept modern Christmases. The family separation, the crass consumerism, the sudden dip in form for Arsenal. 😉 It’s as if life on life terms makes us more philosophical.

Tunes:

 

 

Clearing up the financial mess left by gran’s vagueness

Posted on by gizzajob

Gran, God rest her, was NEVER healthy around money. She grew up with nothing and ALWAYS believed that she had nothing. While I was constantly fighting financial fires, she was blissfully unaware of the repairs that needed to be done to our home, as well as the cost of the entire process.

But now I am in a better frame of mind I can tie all the loose ends over. I know personally how to avoid sweet talk from the banks. 🙂