Hobson’s Choice

Posted on by gizzajob

This afternoon, I had a Doctor’s appointment about Tinnitus – which has been ongoing my whole life, but I’m only addressing now. My left ear is so waxy, I was prescribed drops. If there’s no improvement after a week – I require syringing to dewax my ears.

The Doctor wasn’t made aware of my exemption from wearing masks – as I have Asperger’s – as I discovered- by a Mate who was a Nurse and is now a Lecturer in Nursing at Queen’s University – that Doctors don’t have access to one’s Medical Records. He didn’t react too well to the Government exemption rules; perhaps because there’s a breakdown in communication between the Executive in Northern Ireland and Whitehall. Sounds like something from ‘Yes, Prime Minister.’ 😐

On a more positive note, my massages are available again through WAVE Trauma Centre. Also, I called USEL – as a cry for help trying to find work again. They may be able to get me back on STRIDE; but there’s no guarantee. I’ll find out for sure on Wednesday.

I had to pay the 2019/20 tax by bank transfer this evening. Tough times! But I live in hope. Even though the justify option doesn’t work on the New WordPress template.

Tunes:

I feel better

Posted on by gizzajob

August is starting well, for me. My IKEA bed base came this morning. However, there are some sections which require more than one person arranging it. God willing, my uncle will help me.

I ordered my first bits of recipes for suggestions from The Batch Lady – Suzanne Mulholland. She had a top time-management role in America before becoming a Farmer’s Wife in Scotland. Sounds right up my alley.

I am glad the Superstars Café is returning to normal hours from this week on. But it isn’t the same with Lockdown. They’re trying to crack a nut with a pneumatic drill.

Tomorrow, I plan to attend a Café in Draperstown for a half-price fry as part of a UK-Wide initiative throughout August. Mid Ulster is virtually Covid-free. So why should we wear masks here? We’re not New York or LA.

For now, I have to focus on reducing expenses rather than look for work. But, this Friday, I will see a Social Farm outside Claudy to see if I would enjoy it. Get back to what I was supposed to do. 🙂

Tunes:

No job – But much-needed rest!

Posted on by gizzajob

I didn’t go back to the job. Instead, I got an appointment – by phone – in a few weeks with my Key Worker and Shrink about a diagnosis of General Anxiety Disorder. For now, I have a leaflet about Anxiety.

My brother wanted a drive-in test for Covid last week. He didn’t get one, but I got a home-kit test; which I did yesterday morning. God willing, it will be another negative. It might be my hayfever acting up that’s making my throat sore.

I got a Tonic drink- that I ordered from Holland and Barrett. Because of that, I feel more energised. Plus, I am taking Vitamin C tablets – fizzy. Perhaps online shopping isn’t so bad. 🙂

This week is the week where public-sector workers are on annual leave; due to ‘The Twelfth.’ I am still awaiting a refund from EasyJet. I passed on the contacts to the Consumer Council; only to find out that they’re off all week, and most of the staff are furloughed. That’s what happens whenever a country is so dependent on the Government for employment. 😦

And I am pissed off at Thierry Henry. US issues have NO PLACE in Football. 😐

Tunes:

Beginning a new job – then physical ailments

Posted on by gizzajob

On Saturday, I was meant to begin a weekend job making PPE masks. However, during the induction, I developed diarrhoea and had to leave before I even started. Then I did a Covid test on Saturday afternoon – after developing symptoms – at Craigavon MOT Centre. Thank God, it was negative. 🙂 However, I need to slow down.

The feeling of disappointment left me suicidal on Saturday. Yesterday – Sunday – I was a mess. However, I feel better this morning. Fizzy Vitamin C tablets are Godsends. (I found out, from a friend, that the pills I contemplated taking wouldn’t have killed me)

Thank God that I can get a haircut this afternoon. Haircuts and shaves always make me feel better. My brother returned home Sunday before last from Derry – he got a 2:1 in Software Development at Magee – and using his beard trimmer was the answer to my prayers. I got one, just like his, on Amazon. But, since he returned home, I have slacked off on the housework a bit.

The most important thing is that I’m above ground, and I still have a chance. I also gave up my walking challenge as my health deteriorated since I began. It’s too warm for a coat, but too wet for a t-shirt. Welcome to Ireland! 😐

Mr Devlin goes to Stormont. (On Canada Day – Somme Day too)

walk_a_million_des_the_proclaimer_085

Tunes:

A Million-Step Challenge

Posted on by gizzajob

Walk A Million

Today is the start of a challenge, until 10 September, to raise money for a suicide prevention charity. The goal is to walk one-million steps in between then; on average, slightly less than ten-thousand steps per day. I have a built-in pedometer on my phone and can upload pictures with the help of Dropbox. Body-Magic on Steroids. 🙂

I have decided to form a one-man team since I’m not associated with any Primary School or Gaelic Football Club. I called myself ‘Des the Proclaimer.’ 500 miles in roughly one-million steps; oddly enough. 😀

I had my daily ten-thousand steps for record achieved by 1:15 pm today; to free up the rest of the day. I was up pretty early and had to walk to the shop and back for items.

Tomorrow, I plan to visit Belfast for the first Post-Lockdown trip. I want to get my steps-worth done there with a friend from Stranmillis who began Lecturing Nursing Students last Autumn. Thrown straight into the Bearpit.

Memorial day tomorrow in America. If only the Indy 500 was still on. 😦

Also, I am catching snippets of the Streamed Manchester Jazz Festival.

Tunes:

I wish I was in Macclesfield

Posted on by gizzajob

Today marks the fortieth anniversary of Ian Curtis’ suicide. I was meant to be in his native Macclesfield today to commemorate. However, the Tyrants have us in Lockdown. England has gradual reopening, already, while Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales still want us to stay at home.

Nevertheless, I’m learning to cope. I ordered Lavender-flavoured Organic Shampoo; I never washed my hair in the past few years. Now, I’m doing more self-care. Also, I got cotton makeup pads to apply the coconut oil I got last week for my face. The leftover plastic boxes, from the orders of Chicken Chow Mein I’ve had, can be used to store the pads. Those takeaways weren’t such a waste of money, after all. Plus, I also have leftover boxes from the Mayflower curry powder.

Also, happy Victoria Day to all Canadians. Here comes Summer. In this country, it’s wet and miserable; Summer for us. 😀

Tunes:

Sunday

Posted on by gizzajob

Today is American Mother’s Day. I remembered that when talking to my Canadian friend today; she can’t visit her mum’s grave, because Canada still shuts down the cemeteries. At least we’re making more process.

Last night, I was meant to see an Otis Redding Tribute Act in Belfast. Perhaps I was licking my wounds by having a rough weekend. However, I have come out better. This evening, I will try and bid for the one affordable lot from the Art Battle auction done by Manchester Artists. It’s for the NHS and helping the nighttime economy in that city.

I am on the reserve list for the PPE mask-manufacturing jobs in Magherafelt. If someone chickens out, I might get shortlisted. Fingers crossed.

My brother’s final University exams are this coming week. He’ll graduate next month – no formal ceremony. He’ll be home at the end of June. He deserves to put his feet up once he’s back home.

Tunes:

Victory in Europe

Posted on by gizzajob

Today is the seventy-fifth anniversary of VE Day. It was the day we tore the Fascists down. 😀

On Sunday evening, I had watched a live stream of an art battle in Manchester. All pieces of artwork are for auction this week. However, I impulsively made bids on two lots, which is just another expense for me. However, I contacted the auctioneer, and he was grateful to cancel my bids after I explained my situation. Plus, I made two online donations to UnitedWeStreamGM over the past weekend, and there was an issue with Virgin Giving. Has there been a spat over Sir Richard Branson’s support of the Tories? Who knows.

There have been a few deaths recently, over the past month. However, I won’t get into hysterics over COVID-19. The mum of a neighbour of mine died yesterday evening, and she had been battling cancer. There are other ways to die.

I’m concerned about the possibility of vaccination being a requirement for travelling, or even finding public sector work. However, these demons are only defeated through prayer and fasting. 😀

Tunes:

Locked down – but not a Serf!

Posted on by gizzajob

Lockdown does get to me several times. But I had ZERO interest in the Lady Gaga event – I’m Team Trump whenever it comes to the WHO – instead, I attended a Manchester-themed stream on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The donation I made was for the NHS. But I was there for the tunes. 😀

There will be a Belfast-themed stream – of Funk and Soul – which is also raising money for the NHS. I feel that putting my money where my mouth is is better than clapping. 😉

I am also attending Zoom classes for Slimming World. Plateauing at the moment. But I can still pat myself in the back for not gorging myself stupid.

Plus, I have no interest in Tiger King. 🙂 Instead, a Skype friend from Etobicoke – Toronto – keeps me company. Plus, a friend from Belfast who – like me – is one of the few non-Canadians to love the Tragically Hip. 🙂

Tunes: