Michael's Meanderings

So first Thursday I went to the dentist to get my lower right front tooth be almost entirely replaced / filled with white composite filling. Much cheaper than a crown.
Continue to claim delay repay refunds for delayed travel, now can be credited to my Paypal account instead of eVoucher; which have to be used for rail travel.
Continued with Ballroom classes on Tuesdays with practice on Fridays, and a social on the last Saturday, and Line dancing class on Wednesdays
For the second weekend my Mum, both my sisters and I went for a Warner Break at Lakeside - Hayling Island. This was like a SF convention for Muggles!
On Thursday I started a cold ;-( but worked in the morning leaving at lunch time to pack for the w/e and to be collected by C in time for dinner before going to her line dance class - I did know most of the dances!
Arrived Friday afternoon, when there was light programming, Mum got a mobility scooter, which allowed her to move faster than the rest of us! The weather was less than optimal (frequently raining over the w/e)
but we did manage to walk to the eponymous Lakeside to see the ducks. We were allowed in to our chalets from 3:00 (I shared with C while Mum shared with H). C had been before so she took us on a tour of the facilities.
Dressed up (C & I coordinated out outfits all w/e) and after Bingo, Dinner was a 3 course meal, from a selection, followed by dancing to a live band - Central Park, C&I did a waltz and were the only people on the floor! followed by an entertainment by One Man Band Bruce Thompson,
some more dance music before off to bed (after slogging through the rain).
Saturday we all went in to breakfast at 8:00; once again able to choose from a range of menu items, I had cereal, followed by a Full English. This was followed by Hoy Bingo (using 9 playing cards for the bingo card), we won the 3rd game and £36!
C & I spent 50 min in the dance studio, practising line dances, had problems getting bluetooth speaker to work so just had sound from C's phone!
Then saw LA LA Land in the mini cinema, which finished just in time for C & I to join a jive workshop. I learned a few new steps. After I used the pool, sauna and steam room, to try to clear my cold.
Dressed up and then in for dinner at 6:30, another different 3 course dinner, with some dancing an a very average ABBA Tribute.
Remembrance Sunday - after breakfast (porridge, poached haddock, pancakes & yogurt - not all at once) Played Hoy bingo Mum & H had same last card - but didn't win this time. 2 minute silence at 11:00
Did some more dance practice in dance studio mostly line dances, but revised the jive we learned yesterday. Got bluetooth speaker to work.
Had a second dance workshop this time Cha Cha and learned "new routine"
All 4 of use played Rummikub - board / card game. Dressed for dinner again, another 3 courses! Dancing to Central Park the the excellent The Fallen Angels - A Tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and then to bed
Monday had to pack before breakfast as rooms had to be empty by 10:00, had breakfast together - Full English then left 10:20, C took me directly home,
Photos of the weekend can be seen at my facebook page & my sisters fb page
Caught up watching all the Strictly Come Dancing incarnations I'd missed over the week end. Also Dr Who. Due to my cold, that it was raining, and that I hadn't finished the book, I didn't go to my monthly book club meeting.
Bought tickets for Christmas Line Dance social, - M saved me some tickets as they went on sale on the Saturday we were at Hayling Island, and went like hotcakes.
Had a power cut (at home) while I was at work, WiFi Router and Sky Box rebooted and had to be tweaked until they were working again.
Saw Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald at the cinema, had the feel of the middle part of a trilogy. In the original Harry Potter sequence while each story added to the harry vs voldermort arc, each book / film was a complete story. This doesn't feel the same at all.
A very busy month, but next month may be even more busy!

First Line Dance class was cancelled at the last minute, Margaret phone on Monday to inform. New ballroom teacher (Sam) joined E & B in class (with extra students) - V&G + S&T left class in protest.
Had an asthma attack at work and had to sit quiet for an hour before leaving early! So booked asthma review (which was due anyway).
Arranged for a complementary congratulatory card from the Queen, for my parents 60th Anniversary - also ordered a nice bespoke frame for this to be presented in.
The weather was very warm & sunny 25°C+ most of the month, so the discussion of A Canticle for Leibowitz, which was held at one of the member's beach hut was very pleasant. However I had forgot we were meeting there until no one arrived at the normal (Lord Nelson Pub) location. I got there about a half hour late!
Line dance class has continued, but only had 2 weeks class this month. Visited my sister & parents - then attended another Ceroc workshop, getting better but really need to practice.
Ordered an Android phone for only £45 - wanted a spare smartphone, and wanted to try a modern droid device.
Went to the cinema to see The Incredibles 2, after watching The Incredibles the previous week on TV.
J confirmed that she had early diagnosis of breast cancer, and her operation was scheduled on the day I flew out to Holland.
Flew to Holland for a week, to visit D. Went to the Science Museum in Amsterdam, took photos from the car in Rotterdam, and took a morning ride along the the canals near D's new flat.
Got texts and email from Barclaycard notifying me my card had some fraudulent activity on it. Had to cancel it on my retunr and confirm which ones were valid.
Had arranged to return on Tuesday so I could go to ballroom class, BUT due to J not being there after her op, I decided not to go. I did go line dancing the following day though after going to the cinima to see Mama Mia: Here we go Again
The last Thursday in the month, was my last day of leave and celebrated my parents 60th Wedding Anniversay, the weather was sunny and a good time was had by all - a small select gathering including both my sister and my paternal aunt and uncle, wit a few additional friends.
The highlight was the presentation of the queens card!
Finally rained after weeks of sun! Most of the grass had turned brown.

Used over £50 worth of Delay Repay Vouchers, to pay for 25% of my season ticket! Strikes and other delays and cancellations are still ongoing.
Most important thing to happen is that I have transferred to a new NHS Organisational Unit NEL Commissioning Support Unit as a Junior Service Desk Analyst (This is apparently a permanent role!)
The second most important thing was that I caught a could which converted into Laryngitis, which mean I was off work for 2 weeks! Saw 2 different GPs and got signed off work. I also saw a consultant re the aches and pains in my joints/back.
I have still been going to Yoga (strikes and illness permitting) and to ball room dancing too. Had an extra "Strictly Snowflake" Saturday Dance, which I went to even without voice! (I could still dance).
Other major news, in collaboration with my next door neighbour, our semi-detached garage has been re-roofed. This was instigated by the neighbour but given the state of the roof it was about time.
I was able to pay for this and the final instalment for the work on the main house room last month due to having to option to remove some money from my AVC pension top up plan.
D went to Holland for a weekend visit, relating to his status after brexit!, and I had to look after his kitten Maya, she was a sweetie.
After returning to work went to see "Fabulous Beasts & Where to Find Them" at the cinema, a slight story but with wonderful sets and special effects.
By the end of the month Winter came with a vengeance with temperatures of -3°C.

My last post was about Unicon, my next one will be the start of my Chicon / Worldcon adventure. So what has been happening in between?

I've been to the chiropractor only one. I was due to go again on Friday but there was an emergency and my appointment was cancelled.

I've booked a ticket at Can't Stop the Serenity in Chicago, for the Saturday after Worldcon.

Last weekend I spent hours watching stuff recorded on my Sky+ box, so there will be space for stuff over the next two weeks. Doctor Who starts next Saturday!

Last Monday I went to the local cinema to see Brave. It was a very Disney style Pixar animation, but enjoyable even so.

Yesterday I got an email saying my contract had been extended to mid October. This is good and bad news. Good because I've still got a job when I get back. Bad as the day before I booked to fly to Spain with my parents and sister for a week. If I'd know about the extension I could have booked their last week rather than their first one!

Also yesterday I went dancing with K in the evening, since we hadn't danced for over two weeks our stamina was less than usual so we didn't dance as often as in the past. We did manage at least one of each style (except those we don't know yet!)

Today I packed ready for my flight tomorrow.

I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since my last post. Anyway the Sunday after Picocon I went to visit my parents, as it was dad's birthday the previous week. His eyes have not improved.... It was raining all day and on the drive there and back we went through some very large puddles.

On Tuesday 2nd I went to the Hawth to see The Moscow State Circus, it's "theme" was Rasputin. My seat was in the middle near the front. Because the performance was in a theatre some of the bigger acts didn't fit, and some had to be reduced in scope (according to the programme). There were some terrific jugglers though.

The following Sunday I walked around Beadlands, very bleak, nothing much in the way of plants or animals. Managed to finish off watching the second series of Chuck which I'd recorded a while back.

The following Monday I saw my Chiropractor then managed to get to the Odeon cinema in Brighton, to see "Alice in Wonderland in 3D". It was nicely re-imagineered so while familiar the story took unexpected twists and turns.

I finally got around to renewing my passport, and my old one was returned in the post this weekend, so I should get my new one in a week or two. Cost £85.50 including PO security.

Last weekend I pickled some onions, I'm not sure if I did it correctly, but a month or so will soon tell.

Last Tuesday I went to the European premier of the new IMAX film "Hubble 3D" at the Science Museum. This was followed on the Wednesday by two hours entitled "Striking Your Own Chord" at the Dana Centre. This included tacks and workshops. I was in the group that sang 3 part african chant, which was very cool.

Last week my watch strap broke, I managed to get a replacement this Saturday.

So including the time jugging on Tuesday (where I got a club in the face that bent my glasses, both glasses and face are fine). I didn't get home on time any day last week.

On Wednesday I went to the Prince Charles Cinema" Leicester Square. Which shows films after original release, usually stuff that doesn't get wide distribution, and a cheap prices. I actually had a fee pass from a while back that I hadn't use so got to see "FAQ about time travel" A HBO/BBC co-production, not action packed but when it's shown on BBC I'll watch again.

On Thursday I spent lunch and the evening looking for a Boots that sold digital cameras, so I could replace my lost one. It was end of life so wasn't generally available. Eventually found one in a store on Oxford Street. On my perambulations I also go sold a new phone, a Vodafone 533, but kept my old SIM card and number. It has Java and Internet access (though not WiFi). When I got home most of the kitchen cupboards had been removed and tiles had been removed from the floor.

On Friday the VDU/Audio cables arrived, and I made my regular trip to Forbidden Planet. when I got home the ceiling and wall had been painted and wall tiles had been removed. Further plaster had been applied, which needed to dry over the weekend before the next phase starts!

On Saturday morning I went to the library to collect a map of Bedelands Farm, with public footpaths marked. Then to the Chiropractor, apparently I'd got twisted and needed to come back soon for a checkup and review. Had to do some walked so walked from Brighton to Preston park where the Chinese State Circus had it's tent. Since I was early I tried to fly my pocket kite, but due to a lack of wind it wouldn't stay up for long.

I tried to note what acts were on, but I may have missed some, and writing in the dark can get a bit strange! Entered the tent at 2:45 and left at 5:00.

The start was a parade of the full cast giving a potted history of China, with emperor and Monkey King.
Then pole swinging (combining pole acrobatics and trapeze)
plate spinning (5 plate in each hand, while doing acrobatics and contortions!)
Hat juggling (self explanatory)
The Sholin Monks, followed by TNG Monk.
Chinese Lion Dance (traditional)

An Interval of 20min

Started with the Monkey King with a different costume, as we now entered the 21st century.
Bicyclists (8 young ladies manage trick riding on bicycles.)
Monkey returned
Diablo (sycronised, and passing)
Monks return
Ariel silks (two dance in air held up by thin silk)
Hoop diving (traditional)
And finally an Olympic Future.

Sunday rained nearly all day so I didn't get to walk in the woods / fields (though I've got some pain in my right heel, so that might be as well.