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:

Heading to Glasgow this weekend

Posted on by gizzajob

To see the Paul Draper gig at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut – the infamous musical venue in the city owned by Alan McGhee where Oasis first cut their musical teeth. Of course, Mansun also played one of their earliest gigs there. It might end up being a pilgrimage for me. 🙂

I have booked a taxi to make me from my home to Tamnamore park-and-ride to get a bus to Belfast and then wait for the substitute bus to take me to the ferry to Cairnryan. Hopefully, my previous experience with that coach has prepared me better for this forthcoming journey.

I’ll miss seeing the All-Ireland Final, though, but on reflection perhaps Tyrone’s abject performance against Dublin a fortnight ago was a blessing in disguise. Ardboe plays in the Tyrone Championship this Saturday. Ripping over the fact I’ll have to miss it. Apparently, many of the Football fields in that region are unplayable. Perhaps?

Tunes:

 

 

The things I didn’t know about music (until now)

Posted on by gizzajob

A mate of mine from England was talking to me on Skype about, “Seeing Björk in a band!” I immediately assumed it was the Sugarcubes, only to find out that she was in an Icelandic Post-Punk band prior to the Sugarcubes.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kukl_(band)

 

Amazing the gaps in my knowledge. 🙂 But, being an Arse, I maintained that I was correct; a reason I don’t go to pub quizzes anymore. I get triggered when contradicted; my gran, God rest her, was the same.

 

Another Marsupial Moment of mine. (‘Who wants to be a Millionaire?’ reference from way back when)

Soon time to head back

Posted on by gizzajob

Tomorrow – Monday – I will arrange the transfer of my stuff by delivery van to gran’s some time this week. Also, I will speak to my insurers about changing the address of my car insurance. I have a monthly payment due Friday and then after that only one more monthly payment to go. Perhaps I could even get money back if my insurance works out cheaper in Ardboe.

 

I am also doing a graphic design course via Coursera. I complete the week one assignment on Thursday night and passed it, then this morning I completed a Pop Quiz – pass mark 8/10 – and, low and behold, got 8/10. This after making no notes. 🙂 Week 2 has been passed a week in advance. More time to focus on the move.

 

This afternoon I got gran’s cleaner to iron my clothes and sort out all my junk. Tomorrow I’ll head to gran’s to put the bin bags into the black bin – collection on Thursday. Clearing out my clutter is ALWAYS a good feeling. 🙂

 

I have a CV sorted out based on a template provided for me by a recruitment agency, originally from Magherafelt but now based at Letterkenny in County Donegal, and I used that CV to apply for a Secretarial role at a Solicitor’s office in Banbridge.

 

I can also say that things are looking up. Over the next week I will be attending TWO Meetups in Belfast. Good to get out there with the movers and shakers.

 

Also looking forward to the release of Paul Darper’s solo EP Two. I’ll be buying it on iTunes, but the die-hard Mansunites will buy it on Vinyl.

 

I believe that a corner has been turned in my life. Onwards and upwards. 🙂

Weekend

Posted on by gizzajob

I had a good day, besides one issue with posting a Christmas Present for a Friend from Toronto; Lancôme face cream; and the Post Office Clerk grilled me about whether I had Perfume, Aerosols or Nail Varnish in the envelope. Guess, I can only pray for the person. (love our Enemies, and all that)

I am reading a 500+ page book about Bob Dylan which I borrowed from the Library back on Monday. Good time-passer now that Winter has come with a vengeance. But it makes me realise just how much I shouldn’t meet my idols in real life.

My driving today was to The Loup; via several side roads to avoid the Friday logjam in Magherafelt; and to Moneymore. I was buying the Irish News; as I always do; and the Belfast Telegraph; no Jobfinder this Friday, mainly due to our First Minister retiring. (another Bloke I detest) Also bought a Mass Card; as part of the Christmas Gift for a Skype Buddy from Toronto as her Mum died of Cancer earlier this year.

Some tunes for tonight;