Michael's Meanderings

I booked two and a half days off next month - so I could go for an extended weekend holiday with my Mum and my sisters, probably the last time the 4 of us will be able to go away together.
The Tuesday Ballroom classes on Tuesday have been mostly used to teach and revise the paso. At the end of month social this time there were fewer mistakes.
Line Dancing continues on Wednesday with my sister her friend and I going to the 2nd Saturday social, this was followed on Sunday with my sister & I going for a tea dance at Herstmonceux castle. We both had a good time (& even managed to get her to try a quickstep).
Saw my GP as I'd had an ongoing cough since the beginning of the year, (this is a known side effect of my blood pressure medication). She checked my BP and it was in "normal" range so said I could stop the BP capsules.
But to be on the safe side I should also get a chest x-ray, (which I did a week later). My follow up appointment indicated no issues in that regard. Got this year's Flu jab, caused me to be slightly under the weather for a couple of days.
Also had a chip off a tooth which required filling, so needed an x-ray first (so I got 2 x-rays on the same day).
Got a refund of 8.33% of my season ticket - due to ongoing issues on the various rail lines. This is in addition to the delay repay refunds when any train is more than 15 min late.
I actually finished the SF Book Club book "Way Station by Clifford D Simak" just before the meeting started, but it still counts.
Continue to have Skype video conversation with D on Thursday evenings, we are really living in an SF world!
Virgin have been digging up the pavement around BH over the last few months, laying fibre cable. I got a letter from them to let me know they are intending to lay this past my house and might impinge my access.
Took a day off so that I could attend the Worthing Beer & Cider Festival, in the Assembly Hall, I'm not a big drinker but it was interesting to sample 6 different beverages in 1/3 pint portions.
On Halloween at work we had the option to dress down (and donate to charity) or up (and wear costume). For the first time as a adult I dressed up for Halloween - as one of the Men in Black!
Line dancing that night was also costume optional, so I stayed in character. There were 7 witch costumes, one magician and me.

So I started my month in Holland and returned on a very delayed flight, (see previous post). This is also very late, but better late than never.
My Sky remote keeps glitching, so I found an app for my iPhone which does the same thing via WiFi. Had an hour's power cut, and played games on my phone by candle light ;-)
Bought a supporting membership to Worldcon76, and decided NOT to go to Eastercon in 2018, as I couldn't get the Thursday off work AND it's the last Saturday in the month so I'd miss dancing.
Researched annual season tickets, and confirmed I can get an interest free loan from work. Buying in December (before fares go up in January) saves over £400 per year (as against 12 monthly tickets)
Had to get a replacement office door entry card (the original had the address on it in error). Yoga class now moved to Tuesday, so there is little time between its end and getting to Crawley for my Ballroom dance class! I therefore have to eat sandwiches on the train. if I want any dinner/supper.
I continue to take advantage of the Delay Repay compensation for delayed / cancelled trains, used £45 worth to pay for my train tickets to Filkcon and Picocon.
The Strictly Come Dancing Final was exciting, and very difficult to call. Any of the finalists could have easily won.
Went Dancing in Stenying, Jane collected me and had a nice time on Sunday evening.
For the Christmas week the Brighton SF Book Club discussed Only Forward by Michael Marshall Smith, I actually had nearly finished the book by the time of the meeting & did finish it before the week was done.
D came back for a visit over Christmas, hiring a car to collect Maya (his cat) and we booked car and train tickets to return her after Christmas (see locked post)
On my first day back to work (between xmas & new year) the road outside the station was flooded (even the pavement was partially under water!
On New Years eve went to the annual Crawley Academy social dance, doors opened at 6:00 and after helping clear up at the end J & I left at 00:30
A young couple Matthew & Holly provided a Latin demonstration and a buffet supper was included.

Went dancing most Tuesdays (though missed the Friday practice as J was ill). Went to a Sunday Christmas Dance with J in addition to normal classes.
Train Strike caused further delays, and cancellations, so had to take some time off work. Also got a number of delay repay refunds.
SF Book Club meeting, in Brighton, included a earlier start and a Christmas meal (I had cod and chips!) and then a slightly lest rigorous discussion of The Stainless Steel Rat.
Got my garden patio replace and an additions fence installed, this took over 2 days and has made a significant difference to the garden.
I had to make an excursion to a clinic I hadn't visited before to get my hands ultrasound scanned, weird feeling with warm blue jelly dotted over the skin. (I have had contact with this location before as part of my job (IT support))
Continued with yoga class, when there wasn't a strike, (or over the Christmas holiday).
Over the long Christmas weekend, stayed with my family (Mum & Dad, Sister & BiL, Neice & NiL) got a nice scarf and a few other bits an pieces.
Helped my sister with meal prep on Saturday & Sunday, which was quite fun.
Booked hotel for Eastercon & Worldcon 75, and flight to Helsinki
Went shopping with D on last Wednesday of the month and then on Thursday D fixed a Christmas dinner for us both, I prepped the veg!
On Friday I went to The Dome in Brighton to see Flip FabriQue in Catch Me (Attrape Moi) in the afternoon.
Big New Year's Eve social dance with buffet meal, followed by cheesecake and coffee. Demo by Matt Duffin & Kayleigh Andrews, and then at midnight we cheered the New Year in!

Renewed my season ticket for the month £212.80, Contract at work has been extended again!
Used up all the eVouchers I had accrued due to train Delay Repay to pay for my ticket to Marks Tey, for this year's Filkcon
Took half day off so that I could go to the Matinee of Private Lives at The Theatre Royal in Brighton
Next day off to Con2bil8 (The 28th UK Filk Convention), 5th – 7th February, 2016 at The Marks Tey Best Western Hotel
With UK Guest of Honour: Piers Cawley and Overseas Guests of Honour: Stone Dragons (Tom & Sue Jeffers)
Discovered the Bungalow Diner just a few minutes down the road. Ate most of my meals there, an English version of an American diner.
Went to Earth & Stars pup on second Monday for SF reading club where we discussed The Diamond Age.
Went to The Hawth to see The Last Tango with Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacace, no dancing this week.
Learning new steps in Foxtrot, an revised this every week, Social dance was a week early as the school was using the space for a play.
Forgot my yoga gear one week so missed that class. The funding by NHS stopped this month so we decided to continue funding the class personally at around £6 per week.
One of the irritations of the yoga class was that when we moved the tables in the conference room many off the legs fell off! I finally found an Allen key which allowed me to tighten the appropriate screws and now none of the legs detach!
Listened to audible books almost every day usually for over an hour, due to having the St Mary's Chronicles by Jodi Taylor, to listen to.
Updated The Bujold Nexus - (Bibliography). Need to update more regularly as it is coming up to the 20th Anniversary!
Saw Deadpool at the Dome cinema in Worthing. One of the best moves I seen in the last year. Rather more adult in nature than the usual super hero fare but funnier too.
Used paper Delay Repay vouchers to get ticket to London for Picocon 33 on 20th. Guests of Honour: Paul Cornell, Carrie Hope Fletcher & Michelle Paver. Had to leave early as the social dance was this evening.
Booked bed at YHA in Manchester for this years Eastercon. I've also got membership of Worldcon 75 in Helsinki, Finland.
Got two hardback books from amazon at enough discount that it was paper back price. Amazon locker in town is really handy.