Busy schedule

Posted on by gizzajob

Over the past four months, since my last post, I kept at my solicitor and accountant about the remainder of the money owed, from the sale of my family home and land. My brother and I will get the money next week. The final obstacle to financial freedom is the Probate in Dublin. This is why I don’t want a United Ireland. 🙂

This afternoon, I got my ears dewaxed at a clinic outside Randalstown. I knew the back road to get there. But after FIVE suction attempts on the left ear – the right ear only required one – I felt light-headed. But I went to a shop to buy water. Then when reentering the main Antrim to Ballymena Road; my path was cut by two tourists with Caravans. But, in the end, I got on the road; after being forced into a side park. Then I got back on the route to Toome. Then I swerved downhill on the Roguery Road to avoid Traffic cones. This, while Radio X played ‘Helter Skelter’ on ‘Best of British’ hour.

I had diarrhoea when I returned home, so I’ll lie low tonight.

And we’ll have no talk of next week’s Jubilee here. 🙂

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Letting Go of the Outcomes

Posted on by gizzajob

I feel that letting go of the need to search for jobs left, right and centre has paid off; in the end.

I got a new car last Wednesday. And, this Friday, my brother and I will be signing a probate oath; at least I assume it will be the resolution of the Probtae following gran’s death. Then, more money will arrive.

The family home and land are sold. But I have about four or five months before I have to move. Less stress. 🙂

Also, the PIP re-application arrived at the Office on Monday morning. The form was filled last Thursday. It will take a week to register on the system. But they extended the deadline to ease the backlog of cases and applications.

Feeling better. My sensory overloads over the past few weeks drove me insane. Now, I’m having more me time.

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My gran’s sister passed away

Posted on by gizzajob

Yesterday morning, my gran’s sister passed away. Tomorrow morning, my brother and I will attend the funeral. Then, on Sunday, there’ll be an anniversary mass for a brother of my gran. And the Gospel reading will be Jesus walking on water. I need faith, somehow.

Tunes:

The Sofa Society

Posted on by gizzajob

The Indoor Badge Challenge Created by Aron Leah

I feel that being an introvert has given me an advantage in this Lockdown. Plus, being friendly with a Canadian Latch-Key Kid from the seventies also provides me with good company.

I posted my brother’s birthday gifts ahead of schedule. It was a sign of appreciation, given all he had to endure in his final semester. During my last semester, as an undergraduate, our home was caught up in the Foot-and-Mouth crisis of 2001. Of course, I lost enthusiasm at final year; underperforming. But I can now say that some things weren’t meant to be achieved.

I also bought an album, last night, on Bandcamp of a Hammond Organ band from Northern Ireland. They were the support act whenever I was at a gig in the Oh Yeah! Music Centre last December. Seemed like only yesterday.

I’m good. They won’t break me, I am standing my ground. 🙂

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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:

Hot under the collar

Posted on by gizzajob

Today, I drove to Sion Mills and back. The drive was to attend a Strawberry Fair at the Parish Church. There was a Country String Band playing; as well as a Bagpipe Band and an Orange Flute Band. I had taken photos which are on http://www.tinyurl.com/des-flickr

I got home in one piece, after getting frustrated with driving across the Sperrins.

Then, after returning home, I walked to the cemetery in Ardboe for the annual blessing of the graves. Then my uncle lifted me back. I was glad that I had a good day. The weather was beautiful. 🙂

Also, miracle of miracles, my ‘r’ key on my MacBook Pro works again. There is no logical reasoning why that happened. It was an act of God.

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Wednesday Morning 3 am

Posted on by gizzajob

I was conked out at 6:30 pm yesterday and slept until 12:40 am. It was one of those evenings that didn’t exist for me. But I am grateful for the internet to keep me occupied. W00t. 🙂

This morning I will be seeing the hygienist for my teeth. Then I have a dentist appointment on Friday morning; the two appointments are separate because I had initially prepared for the Cloud Academy I had an interview for a fortnight ago but didn’t get.

Also, on Monday I got a letter saying that our tax return form wasn’t submitted. I sorted that out yesterday. Also, I went to see my occupational therapist yesterday. But the appointment was for the eighteenth of AUGUST. My bad. 🙂

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Interview complete

Posted on by gizzajob

Had my interview this morning. It’s now up to the man in the sky.

Driving to Jordanstown avoiding Sandyknowes junction was a challenge all in itself, but I asked THREE shops and I eventually got there in good enough time. Driving back I realised that I turned right too early heading over there once I saw a Crèche on the way back I remembered from heading over.

Prior to the interview I was given a twenty-minute task of handwriting a letter, correcting any mistakes, and then completing an Excel spreadsheet. I completed both tasks, but was unnerved. The interview was touch-and-go, but after I got home I sent the HR Manager a thank you e-card by email.

I have a copy of Richard Bolles’ ‘What color is your parachute?’ and this is the first times I have been called into action in relation to it. 🙂

Then I had to head to Cookstown to get a massage and counselling. Back home and trying to calm down after all the caffeine. All in all, a good day. 🙂

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Managing my life better

Posted on by gizzajob

My brother began Uni on Monday and now I have to hold fort at gran’s overnight from Sundays to Thursdays and I am coping much better. My time management is much better, plus I’m not spending as much shit as I used to as I have disciplined myself to pass the time with my MacBook Pro and Android phone using my brother’s WiFi.

Sleeping during the day and operating at night is better for me as I am not tempted to drive to a 24-Hour shop in order to buy stuff.

On Sunday night I saw the Beatles movie, but didn’t stay to watch the Hollywood Bowl gig that came after the movie because I really had to get back to my place and sleep.

Life is much better now as I am appreciating the effort I made to better my life, as well as my brother’s. Good job, Des! 🙂

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