Life, And Other Natural Disasters...

I decided I was going to get myself a tablet, so the plan was to go to John Lewis in Leicester on Saturday to review what they had and possibly make a purchase.  I tend to trust John Lewis staff (or colleagues - the chain is run much like a co-operative) know what they are talking about when they give advice.  Unfortunately, the English Defence League were having a demonstration in the city center and Best Beloved forbade me from traveling there.

So, instead, made a trip out to Nottingham instead.  I still miss Nottingham - I moved away about 4 years ago now.  I know that a lot of places around there have memories of rock_bear but there are loads of memories I created for myself there.  None the less, as I entered the Victoria Centre, I gave a growl of supplication.  The John Lewis in Nottingham had got tablets in stock and, even better, the cute furry salesman who has been there years and, I think, sold me a camera once.

Only problem is, stayed up late last night playing with new toy.  Oh well, will just have to sleep on the coach this morning as I head down to The Smoke to meet albadger...

So, the reduction in the brain candy continues.  I'm at the 75mg one day, 37.5mg the next.  Down to 37.5mg on Thursday.  Not experiencing many problems, although today feeling a little sluggish.  Was supposed to be going to Bear Sauna today, but had a runny bottom during the night, so don't really want to risk it.

But life really isn't helped by a phone call from the old house about the gas and electricity that I thought I'd left sorted out.  It seems that the price increases have been such that I still owe nearly £100 for power used November to January.  Urf.  Why do I bother even thinking of trying to save for anything?  Some bugger invariably comes along and pulls the rug from under me.

Was watching a line up for a Wales Rugby match recently and saw this face:-

Arrived at the Arboretum around 7.30 in the morning to find a somewhat frazzled Nina who had been there since 6 am, to find that the contractors had only delivered double stalls when we needed a mixture.  Fortunately, with a little tactical juggling, Nina re-drew the map and the contractors started to assemble the stalls.  As is their want, stallholders arrived an hour earlier than they were told and were sent down to us sort out.  Finally, after much cursing and grumbling from Nina and myself, the stalls were in place.

Then, the event started.  Much larger than last year; many, many more people than the 1200 predicted.  Fortunately, the beer tents held out as did the caterers.  The weather kept it's promise and did not rain on our parade.   Except, we don't have a parade in Nottingham, but you get the picture.  Unfortunately, I spent most of the afternoon flat on my back as my spine was playing up and I was nowhere near any decent painkillers apart from the can of John Smith's Yorkshire Bitter that Beastie managed to find me.


madamemish's parents were looking for her; they approached Beastie, and I understand the conversation went something like this:-

MM Parents : Have you seen Michelle?
Beastie : There's a tent full of firemen and a TV film crew - where do you think she is?

Some may consider this a rather delicate subject, but what the hey, why mince words?  I am going through the motions to see if I am eligible to become a sperm donor.  My first introduction to the Andrology Laboratory at the Queens Medical Center and its facilities were less than impressive.  I was interviewed by one of the staff, given a plastic pot and asked to go into "the other room" to produce a specimen.  To be honest, the room provided was less than, shall we say, helpful.  There was a toilet, a sink, a chair which was covered with a long paper towel, a waste paper bin and a box of gentleman's magazines.  Not magazines of gentlemen.  Alas, thinks I, it's down to the old imagination.  So, I try to get comfortable and take matters into hand.  It took a bit of contortion to get into the right position to eventually aim a sample into the pot. 

The results came back quite quickly; apparently I have plenty of little sperms and they respond well to being frozen.  So now I have a medical to go through just to find out that there are no nasty hidden genetic defects lurking within and then a counselling session.

Well, sort of. I am currently borrowing some internet from one of my roomies, Adam, who inhabits the roof of The Sneinton Homestead. He has the biggest room of the house; having a neat little enclave for the computer. I have a definite desire to nab this room if Adam moves on as there is tons of storage space in it, and I could probably cut down the amount of storage I use in Portsmouth which would cover the increased rent.

But I digress.

"What" I hear you cry "has our lovable koala friend been up to this past two weeks?" Well you may ask. Apart from the day to day listening to the troubles of the unemployed of the great burgh that is Nottingham. Well, I have been getting involved with Nottingham Pride with Michelle. It seems that I could well be providing some voice work for the event to give some sort of gravitas and continuity. Gravitas? Me? Hmmm...

Still, it seems that Madame and myself are to be involved in co-ordinating the stalls in the Arboretum, where the event is to be held. Along with extorting prizes from celebrities and local companies. I haven't quite got the knack of extortion yet, but I'm sure it will come eventually.

We just had ourselves an earthquake in Nottingham.

BBC News

The pseudo silk kimono in question sits on the back of my chair.  It was a present from Richard and Merlin last Christmas.  I wear it around the house when I can't be bothered with too many clothes.  It has a certain faded elegance and feels sublime.  It's one of the comforters, along with Atilla and Ghengis, that keep me on the straight and narrow at the moment.  That and Efexor...

I know I'm going through a bit of an "Eeyore" phase at the moment; it could be the fact that it is now over a year since EDS and I parted company.  I don't miss the job; I miss the money.  Which strikes me as a horribly capitalist thing to say.  Even so, some good has come out of it.  I now live in a city that has more going for it.  Sorry, rock_bear, but it does.  There's far more interesting stuff going on in Nottingham than Portsmouth; decent art centres and theatres that are thriving.  Okay, I need to get out more; one problem with my depression at the moment is that it is difficult to get off my arse and go out of an evening; that may soon change.  I'm starting to get some inspiration of things to do; all I need to do is get back my get-up-and-go...

A very excited elric_dewisant announced on his first visit to Nottingham that the city was getting the MAX.  At that time, about 3 1/2 years ago, the streets were being ripped up and tram lines put down.  MAX being the name of a similar system in Portland OR.  The second time he visited, they were testing the tram cars ready for opening the system in early 2004.  Now, the MAX or NET as it is officially called (Nottingham Express Transit) is a well established part of the city and part of my life as the stop at Basford is just over the road from where I am working at the moment.  I can't help but get a little thrill when the tram leaves the street at Wilkinson Street and moves onto dedicated track, accelerating.

I still have no job.
All my stuff is in store in Portsmouth.
The house sale is slowly going through.
I no longer consider myself a resident of Gosport.

Some of these are positives (yay!) but the big negative is still there: I still have no job.  Some would argue that I am being too fussy, but I still have no concept of most of my abilities.  That and I see a job I like and there is the inevitable caveat "Full Driving Licence Required".  Yes, I could try and take my driving test again, but I know I will only fail it again.  My nerves will get the better of me.  Why keep throwing money at it?  I'd like something majorly good to happen - all the good stuff feels minor or all part of the plan.  But that would require luck.  And luck is not something I have...  And if I hear anybody say "You make your own luck" I reply "Nobody gave me the recipe!"