Michael's Meanderings

I keep forgetting to post, my last was just before my last visit to London with my Annual season ticket.

On Friday 16th June, first I went to the Science Museum to see something in the iMAX theatre, I then went over the road to the V & A for a quick look, I don't think I'd ever been there before, and I doubt I'll be back ;-) I then left for Hammersmith Apollo where I was meeting some of my ex colleagues first for Pizza then to the theatre to see Penn and Teller. This was a great show, I thought the best was where Teller cut the petals from a rose, but cutting the shadow of the rose!

I managed to fix the leak from my toilet, it wasn't a major one, but I did feel a sense of achievment when the water stopped.

On Sunday I went to Earls Court for the London Film and Comic Con. It was quite cheap but when I there wasn't much of interest I didn't stay long.

On Monday morning first thing I got a visit from Downs Energy to insulate my cavity walls. They blew stuff like cotton wool in through dozens of holes drilled in the walls. Started suffering with hayfever, and got some drugs after seeing my doctor (he diagnosed the problem without me saying a thing!).

I finally started working on a CV and got a refund on my season ticket.

Just a month ago I went to see Toy Story 3, which was great fun. On Monday 26 went out for lunch in Horsham with my parents to celebrate their wedding anniversary. my sister and brother-in-law also joined us. We mostly had steak and chips and finished with an ice cream sundae. There was an issue with the bill, but we got it sorted. Then back to sort out a few issies with PCs, and then back home.

A week later my P45 arrived, an then went to see The A-Team at my local cinema, which was a fun journey down memory lane (after thr credits was worth waiting for).

The first weekend in August was the Crawley Juggling Festival , I got a lift from I and L Had a fun time in the hula hoop workshop so bought a hoop, and I've practiced since then and have managed over 100% improvement since then. On Saturday evening was the semi-pro Kettle of Fish show in the main Hawth theatre, followed by a fire show and then home. Sunday started very grey, but by lunchtime had turned sunny after misc games in the afternoon we left.

Since then nothing much has happened, though I have been checking the local papers and jobseeker website regularly.

On Friday afternoon, after flying back from Denver I had to decide if I wanted to camp in the Hawth grounds, as I'd done the last two times, or if I would commute.

Two things decided me not to camp, first I was too jet lagged to be able to get every thing on site on Friday evening, and actually set up my tent. Second the weather forecast was rain (at least on Saturday night).

Saturday
So on Saturday morning, before leaving I phoned HSBC to get my debit card unfrozen. I now need to notify the bank when I leave the country. Then at around quarter to ten, I made my way to the station to discover that one of my jugging classmates had also decided to use the train (leaving the car to his family for the day until they joined him for the evening performance).

So Pete and I chatted about the coming day and next term plans until we arrived at Three Bridges station, where we alighted. I extracted some cash from the ATM, which worked hurrah! and then we walked to the Hawth

After finding the box office (I managed to swap, a previously booked full price ticket for one with a Hawth friends discount) we swapped out tickets for our "Juggle 008 Licensed to Thrill" red rubber band, with watch insert!

Found Iain and spouse (also from juggling class) who were just finishing a workshop. we then went to examine the juggling merchandise and I succumbed. I bought a patchwork juggling bag for £12, 6 pink thuds for £6 and 2 swinging fire clubs for £10. I then decided to try the clubs out as there was a club swinging workshop, only to discover that my damaged right ring finger wouldn't let me do more than the very basic swinging!

So I found Pete and we worked on club passing for a while. after a bit I gave up (it was a bit hot). Had some food, then found Iain, Pete joined us in the marquee and we did some triangular ball passing (the pattern was triangular, not the balls). Jane, also from the juggling class, and her family were also around during the weekend.

We then decided we needed a meal prior "to the kettle of fish" show in the evening. Sometime during the day Iain offered me a lift home so I was able to leave my bags in his car during the evening.

Somehow I managed to slip in early, seemingly before the doors opened and spent ten minutes waiting for everyone else. Iain and spouse joined me and once the theatre filled the fun started.

There is a tradition that prior to the show, balloons of various kinds must make an appearance. This year was the turn of the rocket style. ie you blow them up and let them go, some up to the ceiling! Iain was prepared and had a bag of them too, which I helped liberate. The younger children had great fun catching them and most got reused multiple times.

At last 7:30 arrived and the show started. The acts were all excellent and the compere was very good, but I forgot to write the details down at the time, and they have blurred together into "cool!"

Afterwards, was a fire-show, all by amateurs this time, and then we made our way home as it started to rain.

Sunday
Iain agreed to give me a lift in the morning, and phoned around 9:30 to confirm they were on their way. With only my new juggling bag I had less stuff and could keep it in the front seat.

Got to the Hawth about 10:00 had a wander around. This time I did manage to participate in one of the workshops "Poi for beginners" I was able to do all the moves successfully but for the last two and those just need practice.

Pete didn't make it on Sunday but to make up for it the newest jugging class alumni did arrive (her name escapes me!) The afternoon was filled with games and I even took part in the 3 club gladiators.