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:

 

The week when Northern Ireland grinds to a halt

Posted on by gizzajob

Wednesday is the Twelfth of July, the day the Orange Order celebrate the victory by the Protestant King William over the Catholic King James in 1690. Amidst all the nonsense and hullabaloo surrounding the ‘religious’ divide here – as far as I’m concerned, the differences between the Irish and British are cultural rather than national or religious – most people still wanna just get along. It’s just the PTSD-induced victim class that get uppity.

For me, it’s simply a time to stay away from trouble; how very Boo-Boo of me. 🙂 Most people holiday during this period, I’ve done it a few times myself, but now I just wanna enjoy my free time.

Tunes:

 

The hardest way to make an easy living

Posted on by gizzajob

Song and Album by Mike ‘The Streets’ Skinner – one of my literary idols.

 

I am gonna spend a few days in London, but because Easyjet’s booking website was hacked, I decided to get a cross-ferry coach to Glasgow and get a train from Glasgow to London. Whole shebang for tickets, booking fees and postage of tickets cost over £220. My initial plans to visit Brighton afterwards may have to be placed on the long finger, yet again, and possibly spend a few days in London. Public Sector workers can fly most Weekends to watch Premiership Games in England; more money than sense. 🙂

My Illustrator classes on Monday and Tuesday have worn me out completely. Today I didn’t wake up until 2:40 pm after running a few errands late last night after seeing ‘T2 Trainspotting’. Also, yesterday afternoon, I had to see the dentist and hygienist. Cost £75, but now I know that the time has come to commit to brushing my teeth twice a day; one of those basic things we’re ‘too busy’ to do nowadays. (me included) Ordered Fluoride-free toothpaste and Aloe Vera dental floss from Amazon today.

Also ordered the ‘seven days a week’ socks from Amazon Marketplace that I used to order from Jacamo; now I have Monday, Thursday and Friday missing. D’oh! Thank God I didn’t have to go back to that glorified Payday Loan masquerading as a larger men’s clothes site now. 🙂

I did a bit of practice on my Illustrator and got it hunky dory.

Busy few days ahead

Posted on by gizzajob

Last night I attended a quiz to raise money for a local man who was involved in an awful accident in London. My team finished third or fourth; three points behind the joint winners. (I didn’t stay for the tie break) I needed help with the music round; even having to be corrected on a ‘Marsupial Moment’ when they played a song by The Specials that I thought was by Madness; same label. 🙂

This morning is the Anniversary mass for deceased members of my family. Then later this afternoon I will watch the Trainspotting sequel. My Sunday Lunch will probably be local. My initial plans to be in Dungannon all afternoon will have to be revised.

Tomorrow is my Illustrator training in Belfast. Grateful that I have the opportunity to learn new skills.

On Wednesday I will be at CRUSE bereavement centre at The Moy for an appointment.

Another day, another dollar! 🙂