Michael's Meanderings

In my last post I forgot to note I had my six monthly dental check-up. Unfortunately one of my older fillings had deteriorated to the point that it needed repair, so I returned last Tuesday. Got injected and the upper left hand side of my mouth went numb. Small hole drilled and filled and then left with just under a hundred quid less in my account! (but this did include the price of the check-up)

Prior to this I visited Rewards training to confirm that I was on track to get my ITQ Level 2 Diploma. I then visited my bank and ex-mortgage company to get paper work to allow me to get the payment from my endowment policy. Which did not generate enough funds to pay off my mortgage entirely. Fortunately my Mum is a better / luckier money manager than I am and paid off the mortgage last year!

Before I started at university I took up Ballroom Dancing, and continued with the Uni Ballroom Dancing Society while in Manchester. Then I started a job and moved to a new town and didn't continue dancing. Since Strictly Come Dancing started I have been meaning to restart my interest, but there weren't any dance schools locally, or at least that I could easily get too (having no car) or were only in the afternoon.

Now I'm working in Crawley, I thought I'd check locally and found Crawley Dance Academy the final straw was one of my work colleagues (K) mentioned she had danced previously so a three weeks ago I went searching for the local. Unfortunately Google located a fair way from it's actual locations and after 20 minutes of searching, I gave up and went home! I was given the correct location the following day! So a week later I did get to the correct place and we (K & I) had a good time learning the waltz (or more correctly reminding ourselves of it). Last week was the turn of the Quickstep and Cha Cha Cha. Next week is Easter week so the hall isn't available, but the week after... It's really surprising how much I do remember as it must be over ten years since I did any dancing and twenty five since I did so regularly.

So good news this week, my contract has been extended to end of June so I've got longer to practice my dancing! So thinking of stuff I've had to stop doing, I realised I'd not done any juggling and Circus Wurx meets in Crawley so... They meet on Thursday so after Easter I'll have to check them out.

I ordered a keyboard/case for my Android tablet and it arrived last week. This effectively turns the tablet into a netbook running Android, however with only one USB port I could plug both mouse and keyboard in, so had to order a USB hub too. This arrived a few days back and (given that the touch screen had failed, hence it's low price) now it's a very nice bit of kit.

After regular visits to CDG (usually every two weeks after signing on) I went for a mock interview. This allowed me to experience an interview without the pressure of wanting to get the job. I wasn't able to prepare however as I didn't know what the job was for until I arrived!

Book Club this week was King of the Badgers by Philip Hensher, this wasn't very popular either and once again I was unable to finish. Even though I haven't been particularly good at completing the books I have enjoyed the discussion and have been able to contribute something.

Completed the second Business Administration module and passed the on-line test

Got my annual flu shot, and blood test at the doctors.

Completed the excel forms for the Sussex Oakleaf Finance Team and then started helping at The Yews with admin.

During Half Term completed last week of Job search & Interview skills and handed in course work.

The Renovation Worldcon Program book arrived in the post.

After working at The Yews, I went to Rewards office and collected my ITQ certificate.

Had to return to the dentist for a tooth repair. The to the Book Club reading "Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain, which no one like and a few of us didn't complete. More of an historical source that something to read. Then got a discounted haircut.

Strictly Come Dancing started which meant a Strictly episode every day until December!

Took my third ITQ module test (Presentations 2007) at the Rewards Crawley office - passed 94%
then completed the last module at the main office in Haywards Heath "Improving Productivity Using IT" which I passed at 93% which completed the certificate.

In the middle of the month, after the Reach workshop on job search and Interview skills, I went to Zippo Circus in Crawley

Went to my family to celebrate my niece's 20th birthday, my sister gave me a lift to Haywards Heath the following day so I could sign on at 10:00.

Re-started my Business Administration course on Monday morning.

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.