Michael's Meanderings

Two Wednesdays back BOTH K and J were at the dance lesson. Fortunately the teacher needed a partner so J stepped in. Last Wednesday only K appeared so no issue. Last Saturday was the last Saturday in November so the social dance was on in the evening. K and i both made it and we danced all the dances we knew (even the recently learnt quickstep. Next social dance is on New Years Eve party (all night!). K gave me a lift to Three Bridges station as it was on her way home, and it meant I got home 45 minutes earlier than otherwise. I've also ordered some new dance shoes (my current pair I got 33 years ago!)

"Learn to program: The Fundamentals" at http://www.coursera.org finished last week. the final exam took 3 hours! and I managed to get 85%, this meant my total mark for the course was 83.5% (the pass was 70%) this despite only getting 35% on my last assignment. So I'm pretty happy. I also bought a discounted ebook copy of the tutors "Practical Programming" and intend to take the next course in the subject.

I've also started to listen to audio books from audible.co.uk, starting with "Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold" I've already read the book, but the audio edition bring it more alive (at least with a good narrator).

Last weekend I got a warrant from NS&I, as I've won £25 on the Premium Bonds. I can't remember if I've ever done so before but since I only have £26 worth that 104% over 50 years! I must remember to pay it in to my account.

My TV License was due this month so I have reluctantly subsidised the BBC, while they do produce some cool stuff (Dr Who, Sherlock, Strictly) £12 per month is a bit much.

I've managed to continue working on my ECDL Advanced (Excel 2007) module each week and am over a third the way through. Signed on at the Job Centre and am still looking for work.

As a result of being unemployed I have re-contacted Sussex Oakleaf and I'm volunteering with them again. Today was my first day back and it went less than perfectly. Due to issues with the IT equipment. First I had to get an account set up (I used a temp account all last year!) Then I had to use a VPN to connect to the central services on an ASUS Eee PC desktop. Finally got everything working and started creating an address database in excel.

Friday 12 Oct
Last day at current job.
Still writing reports, rather than management (which SG did while I was away).

Sat
Got flu jab at Newton's surgery followed by blood pressure test. Took half hour in total. Did some shopping, saw Strictly Come Dancing Live!

Mon
Went Rewards finished ITQ Level module at last. Arranged for test on Thursday. Saw asthma nurse (need to see her again in 1-2 months). Then saw Dr H re finger pain. Skype call from sister in Spain (no video).
Initial JSA sign on now has to be online or by phone. So used web to sign up took nearly an hour!

Tue
Saw Chiropractor, for the first time since being in Spain.

Wed
Made some new business cards, went to Job Fair in Crawley then had to wait (ate at BK, went Lib) til evening to go dancing, got there early and got shanghaied (for free) into the early class, K came back for the advanced class!

Thu
Went to Rewards to complete ECDL Essentials module, got 97%. Waited in KFC (with free wifi) and had coffee before going for first JSA interview. When I got home my Raspberry Pi had arrived. It was the version 2.0 with 512MB of memory (as announced only a few day previously).

Sat
Had someone from Ultra Energy trying to sell me Solar Panels (electric) which at first I went for, but then cancelled.

Continued with "Learn to Program" completed Week 4 Exercise and Assignment 2.

Mon
Bought a new oil heater from Lidl, had some difficulty getting it home, but managed using my trusty trolly. This purchase was to allow my bedroom to be heated at a lower cost than th fan heater I had previously used.

I've been sending out emails to many different job applications

Tue
Got two signed copies of "Captain Vorpatril's Alliance" by Lois McMaster Bujold. One for me and one for LMB list owner Mel. Sent her copy on to her.

Wed
Went to Crawley, ate at Jubilee Oak, dancing with K but had to catch 4 different trains to get there (still only took half an hour!). Got a lift to station so got home by 10:40

Sat
Continued with "Learn to Program" completed Week 5 Exercise. Went to Crawley for end of month social dance. K sent text that she couldn't make it so didn't dance much. Did get a quickstep and cha cha, and a couple of sequence dances. Left at 9:35 so I could get the 10:01 home.