Michael's Meanderings

Completed all the elearning requirements for working in NHS for this year.
Also finished off the "Sharing Knife" I have been making, with a leather sheath and handle
Had a Private dance lesson with J to learn the Viennese Waltz, bought replacement dance shoes (1/2 size larger than previous pairs)
Saw The Lego Movie - better than the title would let you believe but...
Had a number of blood tests, mostly OK but low in Calcium, so now taking supplements. Also had asthma review (must remember to use inhaler in the evening as well as the morning during summer (pollen), prescriptions now cost £8.05 per item.
Continued Ballroom Dancing on Tuesday with C & J and started going to Subway rather than Burger King (lower cost meal deal and bonus points)
Now regularly mowing lawn again! Got Mary Kowal's latest as an audio book (Valour and Vanity) a series I will always buy and listen too as Mary reads her own work to perfection.
SF Book Club was delayed due to bank holiday, The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson, was of such length few finished it! (inc me).
Reserved 2 Orbit Hugo nominees (already bought Mira Grant one).
Went to the Moscow State Circus at Preston Park. Some of the best jugglers I've ever seen, cool flyers, and a few novelty items. (whip & roller skates)
Walked around the Swiss Rock Garden afterwards for over 20min before getting train home.
Went to visit family for Mum's birthday on last bank holiday weekend (two bank holidays in a month is too much). Dad was also celebrating being priest for 55 years!
Left my bottle of calcium supplements at my parents! Fortunately they don't expire quickly and aren't expensive, so got replacements.
Saw Maleficent at a Worthing cinema / theatre. Had a unscheduled pause in the middle where the digital film looped repeatedly (She's coming). At first we thought it part of the movie but after 6 repetitions...
Bought ticket to see Dave Gorman's - Work in Progress (Modern Life is Goodish) for next week.
Now working on 2 Coursera classes, "Programming for Everybody" in Python and "Understanding Europe: Why It Matters and What It Can Offer You" I'm not going to add any more until I finish both.
Last Saturday in the month was our Grand Ballroom Dance Social, with Lecture, Professional Demonstration and "high tea" (sandwiches and scones with clotted cream and jam with tea) It was an excellent evening!

Most important event of the month was that with major help from my parents I was able to pay off my mortgage a year early. This meant that I didn't have to pay over £3000 in interest, it also meant I didn't have to worry about becoming homeless.

The next day was the monthly Book Club the book being "The Believers" by Zoe Heller which I didn't finish either.

Then the next day I saw my dentist for my 6 month check up, my asthma review at the doctors, and the first ITQ module test on Word 2007 which I passed with 97%!

The next weekend was the Crawley Circus Festival at the Hawth including the Kettle of Fish evening performance in the evening. Got a lift home, and on Sunday from I.

On Tue 9th I had to start a Work Programme Insite Appointment at CDG in Crawley, which was supposed to provided more in depth assistance to longer term unemployed. However most of their services have been covered by the Reach Program! But it's a JSA requirement. One good thing, travel expenses are re-embursed so train travel cost are recouped.

Unfortunately I was unable to got to Renovation the Worldcon in Reno, Nevada due to lack of money. but I did try to catch a flavour of the program via twitter, and streamed media.

Mum had to return to hospital again with hip problems

On Thursday 18th I returned to Central Sussex College, Crawley for a Reach workshop leading to "NCFE Award in Job search & Interview skills" this was a day a week for six weeks

I took the second ITQ module Excel 2007 and passed at 94%

At the end of the month I saw an amateur production of "Return to the Forbidden Planet" at the Hawth, which was held in the small Studio, good fun though.