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:

My new car (scrapped the old jalopy)

Posted on by gizzajob

Last Monday I was reversing into a driveway on a narrow lane when I bumped into a pillar and wrecked the back of my 2004 Vauxhall Meriva. Given the issues I have had with insurance in the past, and wanting to keep my no claims bonus, I decided to scrap the car at a breaker’s yard and look for a new car.

Turned out that I bought a 2012 Citroën C3S for £5,700 and it is a diesel with zero road tax; happy days. 🙂 Looking at that car makes me happy. I can finally feel confident behind the wheel of a car I bought myself. I am getting used to the car, but had a heart-in-mouth moment when heading to Coalisland and a blue transit van turned to the same road I was on without stopping, let alone give way. But I was alert to the danger and the car wasn’t touched. 🙂

Now I can save with the reduced need for fuel in the car.

citroen_c3s_2012

Good news and bad news this weekend

Posted on by gizzajob

Bad news:

I was sick all day yesterday when preparing for a twenty-minute talk on a conference call based in America; I have unlimited US calls on my Skype for £12 per month. 🙂

Good news:

I had a ball at the Theatre in Enniskillen seeing ‘Give my Head Peace’ live. It was good to hear the quips about our RHI scandal. Also, there were a few quips about Irish and Ulster Scots. Overall, it was a blast. My ticket, bought on New Year’s Eve, was in the front row and I really got to embrace the atmosphere more. Also, I did meet the Meetup organiser before the show.

One of my old schools won the Macrory Cup – Senior Ulster Schools Gaelic Football title – for the first time ever in their history. That school only began admitting boys in 1978.

I was able to cancel my direct debit agreement for paying my car’s road tax and paid in full using my debit card. I’ll call them at 9 am today and confirm the cancellation of my direct debit agreement.