Manic Monday

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:

 

Weekend

I had a good day, besides one issue with posting a Christmas Present for a Friend from Toronto; LancĂ´me 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;

Applying for a Carer’s Role

Today I filled in an application form for a Carer’s role covering Magherafelt, Maghera and Portglenone and posted it en route to visiting Gran today. The reality is that it’s a temporary solution; it would simply be something to pay the bills.

 

I may soon be getting money my Gran has dormant in the South of Ireland, all things being well, which would potentially free me up for Full Time work as it may mean signing off Housing Benefit. (trust me, our Benefit System doesn’t help those, like me, who WANT to work but NEED income)

 

I am also hoping for a Placement via the STRIDE program. But, again, the Red Tape. They even saw my ResumĂ© and wondered why I don’t have a job.

 

With the Tories recreating Thatcherism and Labour recreating  Footism, we’re back to 1981.