Michael's Meanderings

Biggest news was that as of 1st September I am now employed directly by NHS rather than via an agency - as had been the case for the last 2 years! But it's only for 6 months.
However I didn't get paid on the last Friday of the month as expected but had to chase up to get my money on the following Monday!
All month went dance class without a partner (J in Canada) as we started (as a class) to learn the Viennese Waltz - which I have wanted to revise since we learned it in a private lesson.
So most Tuesday's I partnered dance teacher B, though the last week I danced with L (whose partner was unavailable).
J was back from her travels for the last Saturday Social Dance, though as she hadn't danced for over 6 weeks her memory of the steps was a bit dodgy! But I still danced more than the previous month!
I finished listening to The Martian by Andy Weir - I wish I'd read it earlier so I could have nominated it for a Hugo! Have to remember to nominate the Movie instead.
On the 2nd Monday of the month went to the Earth & Stars in Brighton for Discussion of the Left Hand of Darkness - didn't finish this book, We were given inadvertent ARCs of Anima by Brett Davidson, as a Read for next year
I have now used the Amazon Locker (Dimple), at the martlets in town, a number of time and mostly find it very convenient - however, the 4-5 day collection window can sometime be inconvenient! Fortunately it appears to be open 24 hours a day!
I've just ordered a new USB Memory stick to which I have copied Calibre and as many ebooks as I could find, on my desktop and old laptop. I also need to hunt up any other ebook floating around!
I have been watching Dave Gorman: Modern Life is Goodish on TV so when his Live show was advertised at the Hawth I got a ticket, for next month (November)
The weekly, free, yoga class, after work has been extended for a further 8 weeks - my back thanks the powers that be!
Christmas is coming earlier and earlier. Lidl started selling Mince pies and Stollen, with a best before date in November!
Mowed the front lawn at the end of the month, we should soon get to the point where the grass stops growing, but we are not there yet ;-(
Both Doctor Who and Strictly Come Dancing started this month - so thats what my license fee pays for!

Nearly up to date! Discovery of the month was that my return tickets to Durrington-on-Sea from Wivelsfield is the same as from Three Bridges, which mean travel to Crawley was reduced in cost.

Saw Thor: The Dark World and later in the month Gravity (really good) both at the Orion Cinema
First Monday in the month at the Earth & Stars pub for the Brighton SF Reading Group, where we discussed Man Plus. I only finished it just before the meeting.

Visited Sussex Oakleaf @ 54 Leylands Rd to discuss their needs for a spreadsheet, and provided help creating labels.

BTC had a presentation with food and drink in their new premises. I collected all my certificates (English Functional Skills still outstanding) It was good seeing my classmates some of whom had also got jobs (as had some who didn't make it).
Went to dentist again for a temp filling, proper filling next month.

Strictly Come Dancing was in Blackpool (a milestone event) during the month.

T-Shirt from Veronica Mars kickstarter arrived. Waiting for the movie with bated breath.

Visited parents, upgraded new laptop from Win 8.0 to Win 8.1, ensured MS Anti Virus was installed and running.

Bought my first season ticket TB to Durrington. This allows me to travel anywhere on permitted routes between these two stations (so I can go to Brighton, Haywards Heath and Three Bridges at no extra cost.)

Saw Dr Who: The Day of the Doctor (50th Anniversary edition) was very good, very timey wimey looking forward to the Christmas Special.

J got back from China, and we continued learning Samba, with a private lesson (at Copthorne Village Hall - J collected me at TB) to allow her to catch up on what she missed. This included Saunter Together, Samba and Jive.

Went to Strictly Social Dancing with Ian Waite at the Hawth which started at 8pm. Small dance floor but danced a bit did Ian Waite's Cha cha and jive Fit Steps routines (don't remember them now) and listened to Ian's Q&A until 10:20 for last waltz.
The following night was last end of month Saturday Social Dance at Crawley (New Years Eve being on Tue). We were able to do a bit of jive and a bit of Samba but need practice.

The last few days, as the snow finally melted, the trains were much delayed. On Wednesday the delay was 53 minutes due to a preceding train being frozen to the tracks! (other parts of the country had it much worse). I've even managed to get a request for a refund in, so I might get some money back.

I also finally booked my Gafilk hotel room, just in time as on-line discounts require 14 days before arrival.

Christmas Eve was a half work day, left at 13:45 and caught the 14:00 from Farringdon to Three Bridges, then caught the train to Horsham, where I was picked up by my sister, then to their home.

Christmas day we were up by 8:00 open presents (I didn't get a large haul) but I did get a Dr Who Annual, a new grey furry cap, and a protective case for my iPod. (Not to mention an actual £20 note!).

Then the parents and I went off to church for the 10:00 Eucharist then back for nibbles, so that Christmas dinner with the whole family was a bit later. After a full Christmas meal of turkey, roast potatoes, sprouts, carrots, peas and Yorkshire pudding, followed by Christmas pudding and cream, I crashed for a couple of hours. The up for the first part of the Doctor Who Christmas Special. Then the Christmas Strictly Come Dancing episode. Saw another couple of iPlayer programs on my iPod then to bed.

This morning I saw Dr Who Confidential, again on my iPod, then lunch. I've been trying to improve the performance of my Dad's PC and believe that it really needs extra memory installed.

On Saturday it was raining and I decided not to go shopping (since I did have enough stuff to last the week) and instead was persuaded (by my sister) to defrost the freezer.

This was a fairly lengthy job. It required everything to be extracted first and stored in cool boxes (and the small freezer in the garage) powered off and left for a while for the ice to loosen.

Eventually I got out a wooden spatula and attacked the clinging ice. I managed to detach large lumps from the sides and scooped it from the bottom (it's a deep chest freezer). The resulting mountain of ice/snow filled the kitchen sink.

My reward, the knowledge of a job well done, and then watching the season finale of Doctor Who. Which I thought was great (and yesterday I re-watched it with commentary).

When I got home yesterday, my brother-in-law had fitted the last bookcase into the remaining wall space. All that is needed is the wood (to be ordered) for the shelves. Photos to follow.

It's been rather warm over the last few days (30°C in the office at the moment, no air con!) though the hay-fever seems to be under control.

Saw the latest Doctor Who on Saturday, after getting back from the Circus. It was very impressive to see a real time story (as per Jack Bauer / 24) 42 minutes before crashing into the sun....

Monday did some more club passing, once again with two different people (but not at the same time!)

Last night I saw the last broadcast of "Blood Ties" prior to it's US hiatus. I suspect I'll actually get to see the rest on Living TV before the Americans get to see the remaining episodes.

And finally my new bookcases are now full with books that have been catalogued on LibraryThing and I'm now stating on the other bookcases in my "living room". Count is now 1674 books catalogued. While not in the top 50 libraries (yet), I have got into the list of books added in the last 24 hours, nearer the top than the bottom!