mbernardi | Entries tagged with theatre

Saw Star Wars: Solo at the cinema, pretty good heist movie, got mugged by a seagull for my sausage & chips on way home! My sister's mother-in-law died, she had been in hospital for some time so not unexpected but... She was a lovely lady.
Continued with ballroom dance classes on Tuesday, and line dancing class on Wednesday. On the second Saturday my sister, a friend of her's, and I went to a line dance social (run by my teacher) first I'd been to. We had a good time despite the heat (the hall has air con). At the end of the month I went ballroom dancing social with J.
Got confirmation that my work grade was increasing from Band 3 to Band 4 backdated to December. If this will translate into any extra cash, I will find out in my August pay cheque!
Ordered a CD (& Free download) of Jenny - The Doctor's Daughter, from Big Finish, back in November, it arrived on day of publication this month.
The SF Book Club discussed The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, which I'd read previously, and re-read especially for the club.
D & I are using Skype video to chat every week (usually on Thursday) as he has hardly anyone else to talk to, we probably talk more than when we shared a house!
Saw two circus style performances in the Pavilion Theatre Worthing; 8 Songs, and Block, fascinating performances, if a little short!

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!

Delay Repay - due to rail delays and strike action meant my season ticket cost 3/4 it's usual price.
At work we are now using soft VOIP phone, sound quality is poor so getting a better headset helped (a bit)
This month's SF Book Club was on the first Monday this month and the set read was Embassytown by China Miéville - which again I didn't complete. good discussion. P gave directions to his house for party next weekend.
Used GPS on my iphone to find P's house - celebrating his birthday later this month and the summer solstice! food, drink and conversation all very good stayed 2:20-7:20
Went to see doctor about aches and pains and had to go for a fasting blood test (meaning no food for 12 hours before blood taken)
Ballroom Dance classes on Tue, we revised jive (though no new steps). The Saturday Social (last saturday of the month) practiced all the dances as usual (danced rumba one as lady!)
J's birthday on 8th, so I took the day off and we went up to London for the day. First went to Forbidden Planet, just to have a look around - I did buy 1 book! Then we walked to the Prince of Wales Theatre where we had tickets booked to see The Book of Mormon (at a matinee) before this we had lunch at Eds diner. The play was a comic musical, which was fairly respectful of the source material (Life of Brian being similar). After the theatre we walked along the embankment, then to All Bar One opposite Canon Street station where we had a light supper before walking to The Shard (above London Bridge station), After going through airport style security took to lifts up to 68th floor
Stayed until sunset and the lights came on over all London. Magical day.
Mid month my fridge expired and had to order a replacement, this arrived fairly quickly, but had to use ice block to keep the temperature inside cool until it could e replaced.
The new fridge did arrive in a timely manner and all perishable were transferred successfully - though some stuff was binned!
iPhone bricked itself, would not turn back on. Had to reset to factory defaults and restore from cloud backup. worked fine only one app didn't restore. Must remember to sync to iTunes regularly.
Had ben able to use my Fire tablet to keep my diary up to date.
Continuing with Yoga even tough number have been as low as 3 students.
Mum had been in hospital for three weeks after an operation, and once she was home I went to visit.
Last Monday of the month there was a fatality on the line. This delayed trains so much I didn't get home til 9:00 4 hours later than usual!
On the last Wednesday went to the Hawth to see Arrival - The Hits of ABBA , started at 7:30 and finished just before 10:00, with an interval - showing adverts from the 70's. The show used 6 people on stage - but also showed video above the stage - either news reel footage, cover art & music videos reshot with the 4 principle stage characters. Also a lot of audience participation.
And on the last Friday we had a work team building exercise with most of the team enjoying BBQ and cup cakes near the beach of Goring Gap
Last day of the month was the deadline for Hugo award voting - sent my votes in even if I hadn't read all that I should.
Looking back over the month it seems that more happened than usual, from train delays to concerts, faulty phone and fridge, and two birthday adventures

Continued Ballroom dance classes on Tuesdays, with normal social dance at the end of the month. Mid month we got an additional social - a charity event at the same venue.
Strictly Come Dancing is regular week end fare on TV with Dr Who to follow. Also the Librarians return to TV
Also continued with after work yoga, also found some yoga apps to try to continue efforts away from class.
Took Saturday morning adult education class over 3 weeks on Family History in the 21st Century! (Who Are You?) from 10:00 - 1:00. When I last did any research all records were on paper and indexes were on microfiche. They are now all online.
Brighton SF Reading Group discussed Cloud Atlas - I only read the first chapter.
Took out a free two week introdutory membership to ancestery.co.uk very usefull for the saturday class. Cancelled it after the last morning!
Saw Dave Gormen at the Hawth where he gave his "Dave Gorman Gets Straight to the Point*
*The Powerpoint comedic presentation. (trains delayed both arriving and leaving
Watching Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, Thunderbirds are Go and Supergirl
Spent a number of days at the Doctors office (after getting a flu jab last month) with blood tests, checking for high blood pressure and and ECG. Mostly OK but could loose a little weight.
Updated The Bujold Nexus and ordered a print of all the ebook covers as a poster
Started listening to audible books again. Especially The Chronicles of St Mary's, byJodi Taylor. Also currently on track to read 200 books this year. Not anywhere near my highest numbers but respectable.

As J had just returned from 6 weeks travelling across Canada, we had to have a catch up private dance lesson. Managed to cover all the new material, and revised those bits she had forgotten!
Went to see The Martian at The Dome Worthing in 3D. It was very impressive, almost everything in the film occurred in the book (except for the coda at the end). and they managed to show the highlights without it feeling incomplete (see Dune for a counter example)
Nominee contender for next year's Hugo Awards? I still think the audiobook was the best version though.
Dance classes every Tuesday, revised Viennese waltz, learned new steps in rumba.
Saw Dr Who, and the new Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries series.
Worked on Scratch programming via Coursera, it's a lot more involved but simple.
Yoga class continues for an hour every Wednesday after work
The Brighton SF Reading group discussed King David's Spaceship, which I actually managed to finish! Not the liveliest discussion.
Went in to surgery on a Saturday for my yearly flu jab, despite arriving at 8:30 there was already a long queue, it went down quickly.
This was followed by a visit to my chiropractor, who indicated that my posture had improved since I started yoga.
Bought a load of clothes at ASDA, and had to hem one pair of trousers due to being too long. but only pair in my waist size ;-(
Got a first day cover of star wars stamps - very pretty
Saw Back to the Future (part 1 & 2) on the 21st. Booked the following day off, as there was a drop in session at the library I was interested in.
However Gentleman Joel & the Red Queen eARC by Lois McMaster Bujold was published the previous day so instead I spent the day reading my favourite author!
On Thursday 28th my dance teacher organised a night out at a theatre in London, however due to miscommunications I didn't discover I was invited until Tuesday (two days before!),
I had to get emergency time off of a couple of hours on Thu which was allowed and met up with J and other early.
Saw Pig Farm at St James Theatre, 12 Palace Street SW1E 5JA seat C20 about 2m from the stage! Performance from 7:30-9:30 with intermission, interesting choice - only 4 on stage roles.
Not something I would have paid to see but for free!... Got home 11:20!
Went social dancing on the last two Saturdays of the month. First with Strictly Dance Magic at Burgess Hill School for Girls, then with Crawley Dance Academy at St Wilfrid's School Crawley.
Clocks went back an hour on 25th at 2am/1am

First Monday of the month at Brighton SF Reading group discussed The Disappeared, I had actually completed this one!
Danced every Tuesday of the month with J - learnt/revised new steps to quickset, waltz and foxtrot - also new sally anne cha cha
Finished listening to The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer
Saw Saturday Night Fever at the Theatre Royal in Brighton - took day off and went to matinee
Terry Pratchett died 12 march! I couldn't remember if I'd ever actually spoken to him or not, then I discovered a personally signed copy of Strata from 1987. So I must have told him my name at least.
Made black cape for relay pig (at work) RH then created bat mask from paper
Went to visit my family - continued on pottermore.com and got early birthday present from my sister.
Helped sister make sunday dinner!
Got confirmation that work contract ending on March 31
Sasquan (Worldcon 2015) PR3 arrived. Sent in request for partial refund of train ticket due to delays
Social dancing on last Saturday in Crawley, tried to create a Jive sequence out of steps learnt, as not given an official sequence of any length since J&I started dancing together nearly 2 years ago.
Trains delayed on last day of work, got to office 8:10 for 8:00 start!
At dance class got small easter eggs from teacher and larger one from J.

Still working on two Coursera modules - "Understanding Europe: Why It Matters and What It Can Offer You" and "Programming for Everybody (Python)"
This month's SF Reading Group book was "Falling Free" which I did manage to read before the discussion. Mosoup finished it and like it.
Danced with J for the last time until the Social Dance - as she was on holiday in Peru for the rest of the month. Also danced with C and then on my own. Got lift to TB station from I & C.
Went to the Theatre to see 2 live episodes of Dave Gorman's Modern Life is Goodish.
The Hugo Voter's Packet was available for download from www.loncon3.org, though 3 of the novels were excluded - got them from the library instead
Had my 6 month dental check, needed a filling in back left tooth in the upper jaw. Had to book another appointment for this to be repaired.
On the 12th to visit family before going to Somerset on Friday 13th for my little siters renewal of vows / handfasting. Travelled there and back with my niece and fiancé.
The 7 of us stayed in a chalet (John Fowler Holiday Park - Sandy Glade). Saturday was a lovely sunny day and H & F renewed vows with a druid and a circle of friends.
Went to Beer and Folk festival at the Hawth - before the social dance on the last Saturday of the month. Took my winter coat to be dry cleaned
Saw the X-Men: Days of Future Past. Renewed my train monthly season ticket.

I'm on two different shift patterns at work, 9-5 and 8-4 they alternate every week. On the first couple of days at work I sat with JA learning the ropes
My normal travel route to work is via Brighton, where I change trains. On my way home I get a train to BH where I change. Unfortunately there are no direct trains to Durrington-on-Sea. The office is only 30 seconds walk from the station so it's very convenient.
By the end of the first week at work I was answering the phones on my own.

Still dancing on Tuesday though it's a bit tight getting to Crawley for 7:00 when I an working til 5:00 (I have to eat before travelling). Whereas on the early shift I can eat in Crawley. Paid for my New Year dance ticket. Also J on holiday most of the month, so no partner for later dance class.

Renewed dendarii.com domain for website.
First Monday in the month was the meeting of the Brighton SF Reading Group at the Earth & Stars in Brighton were we had a fairly lively discussion of the Moon is a Harsh Mistress and confirmed Man Plus for next month.

Got a Sky wifi box which allows me to connect to the internet and download media on demand. The first program I downloaded was the 2nd episode of the new series of Haven (unfortunately the fist episode wasn't available).

First week salary was paid into my bank account. Had my eyes tested and got two new pairs of glasses.
Sat my final two tests for Business Admin L3 and got confirmation that I had passed both, meaning that I had completed my certification.

Ordered my first CD from Big Finish (Dr Who: Fanfare for the Common Men) downloaded to iPod.

Mum had to have an operation removing her eye! Surgery went well, and she came home sooner than anticipated.

Storm on the last weekend of the Month, Trains disrupted on the Monday - tried to get to work but only got as far as Brighton before giving up and going home.

BBC starting the lead up to Dr Who 50th Anniversary on 23 November.

Ordered two tickets for Strictly Social Dancing @ the Hawth for J & I and I saw Vampires Rock at the Theater Royal in Brighton.

On the 2nd I went to the Brighton Centre to see "Starlight Express" with my parents, and sister and brother-in-law. I also booked for tickets to see The 40th Anniversary of the Rocky Horror Show at the Theatre Royal on Saturday 5th.
On Monday 7th I had an interview at Amey, at the time I thought I had the job but I was in error, so didn't return to Crawley.
I have been volunteering at Sussex Oakleaf and setup a number of Excel databases.
Signing on at the job centre every other Tuesday, visiting Rewards to work on my Advanced ECDL. I took the spreadsheet exam/test on the last Wednesday of the month and failed with 70% when pass is 75% ;-(
Also dancing with K every Wednesday, though for the 23rd the dancing was cancelled due to snow.
The last Saturday in the month is a Social Dance from 7:00 to 10:15 and danced all the dances with K.

Woke up 7:30, checked email and LJ then down to breakfast 8:15 where I had waffle fingers, bagel and cream cheese, coffee, OJ, cereal and a croissant.

Updated my LJ and played a bit with my new iPod, it's awesome! It's only minus is it has slightly less available storage but it can all be backed up to iCloud.

Read a bit. Discovered that the CVS across the road from the hostel sells cheap t-shirts and got 7 for $25.69! The Chicon 7 shirt was selling for $20.

Left again at 11:00 walked up State which was closed for Open Space day, games and activities all down the road. If not for my blistered feet, and aching bones...

Got to the river just in time for the Wendella boats Lake and River tour got my ticket from the vending machine for $26+tax, for a 90 minute tour. I think I was the last aboard. The ship was called Lila.

First we went away from the lake along the Chicago River, at the Willis Tower (near Jackson) we turned around and headed lakeward.

The Chicago river is one of a kind because it's surface is about 30cm lower than Lake Michigan ie the lake drains into the river. There is a lock in place to reduce outflow. Also all the water for Chicago and surrounding is provided by Michigan.

Took a fair few minutes for water levels to equalise and then there were the views of the city. I took a number of pictures on my iPod and wished my camera battery hadn't died. At least I had some photos.

Returned through the lock then docked at Trump Tower, this took five minutes, without this time the trip was only 85 minutes!

From there I walked via Wacker, State and Lake to Lake / Clark on the Blue line. This is usually a transfer station, but all these lines were unavailable due to L refurbishment (this was why the roads were closed last night).

Caught the train to O'Hare and got off at Montrose. I then had to follow a google maps printout to the Portage Theatre, 4050 North Milwaukee Ave, IL 60641. Arrived at 3:00 to be told doors open at 6:00!

I'd passed an IHOP on my way so backtracked (open 24/7) and ordered a stack of five pancakes and coffee.

The never-ending coffee was only 3 cups, but I did get an ice water without asking. Total $8.97, I was there for about an hour.

Then wandered around six corners, discovered iPod camera doesn't work if the charge is too low.

Read for a bit after finding some seats by a bus stop, and then finding a bus stop with chairs right outside the Theatre.

Can't Stop the Serenity
At 6:00 went in got ticket and patch (photo ID required).

Charity screening of Serenity for Equality Now and House if the Good Shepherd.

The Portage Theater is in 6 corners and is a fairly large single auditorium it even has a organ to accompany silent movies. I sat four rows from the front a) so I could hear when the sound system wasn't used and b) I could see the screen through the correct part of my varifocals.

At 7:00 the performance started with an improv story "The Verse: Another Firefly Story" it's Eli Cobb's birthday.... With a band (and episodes on YouTube).

7:45 thanks from Mary Coffey of House of the Good Shepherd

8:00 intermission, I bought a bag of buttered popcorn, priced at $3 and actually cost $3 (usually tax is added to price displayed).

8.15 door prizes given out. Silent auction ended, costume contest (3 prizes). Actual live auction, lots of cool stuff, if I'd had space I might have bid as a fair few items went for low prices. Though there were a few bidding wars. At the end of this section there were more door prizes. And I won one. (by this time there wasn't much left, so I picked out glow in the dark brackets.

9:15 final intermission

And then at 9:30 the main feature "Serenity" I hadn't watched it since it's original release, it was still awesome, though some lines of foreshadowing were particularly poignant.

The film finished at 11:30 but outside it was raining / drizzling. I put on my pale sweatshirt for visibility and warmth.

Got to Montrose as a train Loopward arrived, caught it with the last credit on my CTA card, left station 11:48 arrived at Jackson 12:14 got a bit turned around, but back to hostel and in bed by 12:40.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

And once again I forget to update at the weekend.

At the end of last month I went to The Hawth for the Crawley Folk and Beer Festival on the Friday evening and all of Saturday. Met Keith from juggling, listened to Touchstone and Cajun Dawgs before bein collected by K and left after 6.00 to go Ballroom Dancing at St Wilfrid's Schools. Danced a fair bit and almost got the Foxtrot completly correct.
Finished at 10:15 K gave me a lift to the bus station from whence I got the number 10 bus to Gatwick and then home!

We continue classes every Wednesday, and recntly have had an influx of students as the Tuesday class has stopped for the school holidays (it's held at St Wilfrids). This has meant more of a crush, and the foxtrot teaching has been ongoing. Until last week we didn't learn anything new, but yesterday we started to re-learn the Jive!

Since I wasn't home on Saturday I had to go into town on Sunday to do my shopping. After I started watching the Lizzie Bennet Diaries on YouTube. They are awesome.

I've been going to a chiropractor twice a week, but now have got to the point where once a week is enough. I do have to get into the habit of exercising correctly. Since I have managed to get into the habit of playing ukulele for 5-10 minues a day I SHOULD be able to exercise for a similar time every day but....

Recently my Sky+HD box automatically upgraded it's operationg system, the styling is prettier and it will now conect to the internet (if you plug an ethernet cable in) even if your supplier is not Sky. Now if only it had some browsing capability that would be cool.

On Thursday 12th June I went down to Brighton to see "The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Radio Show: Live" at the Theatre Royal. This was excellent, during the first half I suprised myself in knowing amost all the dialogue dispite not reading the books or listening to the radio for years. The second half however seem to diverge from the narrative I remembered 9though it may have used the books or even the newer audio series). Anyway i had an excellent time and would recommed it to and SF fans.

Last Monday I went to see "The Amazing Spiderman" at the local cinema (Monday is cheap seats day). It was interesting to see another origin story, a bit darker but perhap more rounded.

Nearly up to date, and must mention 1-800-Missing which is being broadcast daily and is based on a series of books by Meg Cabot, though they do seem to have diverged from the novel plot in series two.

Current Location: At Home

This week has had so much happening that I just had to try to get everything down.

So on Monday I got a call at work from D to say that my freezer had finally dies (after over 30 years) and i needed to come home and clear it out. I also had to order a replacement from Argos an upright, which cost £231.44 including home delivery and removal of old equipment. However it didn't get delivered until Thursday so all the food defrosted and had to be binned or quickly eaten.

Tuesday I visited the chiropractor, even though I'm not sure if i believe it works my back doesn't seem to be giving me as much pain!

Wednesday was dance night and we revised rumba, waltz and foxtrot. I also started listening to an audio edition of John Scalzi's Redshirts.

Last year when I was unemployed I bought a supporting membership to Chicon this year's Worldcon. not least so I could get the voters packet. It almost paid for itself when Wicked Girls by Seanan McGuire was included. Anyway since I've been employed for nearly 6 months now (exactly 6 months on Tuesday) I decided I could afford to go to Chicago and finally books flight and accommodation on Thursday. There won't be much change from a grand but I've always wanted to see Chicago so.... Later that day I had another Chiropractic session.

On Friday I went to the Hawth to see "Dancing in the Streets" with K (dancing partner) we were up in the Circle near the back (the only pair of ticket available) but despite this we both had a good time. I ate before the show at the in house cafe, and while the lamb cutlets in gravy with potatoes and peas was very tasty the price has put me off eating there in future.

Saturday was the busiest yet. I'd booked a music lesson with Nicki of www.ucanukulele.co.uk at 11:40 and caught the 10:31 train to Brighton. I'd printed directions but discovered the shortest distance was mostly uphill, I arrive only a few minutes early, and Nicki had another student for about 10 minutes. It was a good lesson I learned how to hold and strum and even managed to play a couple of tunes (badly) but with practice... She also recommended changing the strings, so after paying £20 (which was the last of the cash I had on me I went to get my Uke restrung,

This cost me another £15 but I had to get cash to pay first. So I went to the station (the nearest cash machines got money and stopped off at Cleaver for Leather to collect the new belt I'd ordered the previous month (this was £25) back to Brighton Guitars and paid for the new strings and fitting and then to the Theatre Royal where I bought tickets for the Original cast stage show of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy in July.

Finally I used a Groupon voucher to get into to see Snow White and the Hunter at the Odeon for free. The normal ticket price being £8.50 so this paid for the journey to Brighton on it's own.

And then today (Sunday) I read all morning and then went shopping and mostly replaced the frozen food that had defrosted. Once i got back I helped D clear the old compost heap, so we now have all our lawn back.

I forgot to mention D bought a new lawn mower and mowed the front lawn (which was a jungle and took 6 hour to clear with pauses). Yesterday he finished the back lawn (apart from compost area).

Current Location: At Home

On Saturday 19th I went to Haywards Heath for an Open Day by Rewards, who are providing the support for my ITQ Diploma. I discussed possible continuation modules and worked on my current ones, including compleating an assiged task.

Then discovered a new (in the last 6 months) 99p shop and bought sundry stuff. Lugged my shopping home on the train then to town, where I got a eye test appointment, and other sundries.

On Sunday I went to Preston Park to see The Moscow State Circus. These are the best circus performers in the world and in one case managed to convey what dance might be in free fall. There was also some very good juggling (which is not always the case). Well worth the trouble getting to see them (even if there was only one train an hour!)

On Tuesday I went to Brighton and have ordered a new belt from "Clever with Leather", this will be hand made to order and so a bit expensive, but may last my lifetime.
However my main reason for going was to see, as part of the Brighton Festival, "Smashed" at The Theatre Royal, a one hour juggling performance by nine performers with nine chairs and numerous apples and at the end crockery. A combination of dance with juggling and music hall melodies it was very memorable.

Wednesday night was dancing night, but before that I went to the bus depot and got an addition week added to my MetroKey hopefully I will thus NOT pay to use buses over the bank holiday.

Due to the heat (23°C indoors) we didn't learn any new Jive ;-( but instead revised the slower Rhumba and Waltz, with a short burst of Cha Cha. This week for the first time I forgot to take a cold drink, and was lucky to buy a tea at the church cafe.

Last Saturday I got up early, as I had a headache, and had an appointment to get my eyes tested. I need slightly different lenses for reading / PC work (which may be why the headaches). I ordered new glases costing £214 but also getting a pair or prescription sunglasses included in the price. This was lucky as I dropped my old sunglases and the arm broke off.

I also booked an appointment with a local chiroprator who has a more get fit attitude. I'll be seeing him on Thursday.

Then I got my hair cut, the shortest it's been in 35 years! Because they only used clipper to trim it was almost half price!

I then went off to Crawley and bought some books and a pair of trousers on sale at BHS, reduced to £15. Then I read in the garden outside the library until 18:00 when I got the bus to Goffs Park, which is near to St Wilfrids School where the monthly social dance take place. Unfortunately K sprained her ankle on Friday and couldn't make it, and I didn't check my text messages until I had paid for the evening! Despite not haveing a partner I had a fairly good time and did get to dance a Rhumba, a Waltz and two Quicksteps!

On Sunday I phoned my Mum to wish her a happy birthday, then bought train tickets for next week and then went to the Orion Cinema to see Men in Black III. This was fun, not great art but at least as good as the first movie.

Current Location: At Home

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.

I'll try to summerise from my diary. At the end of April there was a Bank Holiday for a Royal Wedding, as I was unemployed and not a royalist it had no impact on me. Mum was still in hospital with hip related issues.

On the 5th I went to the Princess Royal Hospital to see a specialist regarding some numbness I'd been having in my legs. It's apparently mild peripheral neuropathy and there isn't much that can be done ;-(

Went to Jobshop in Crawley investigated options available as an unemployed person. I got on the Reach program, which provides training for the unemployed. As part of my Job Seekers Agreement I have to sign on every 2 weeks, and prove I've been looking for work. I have a spreadsheet! this get my National Insurance paid and I also get a bi-weekly payment (which helps but doesn't pay all the bills).

Went to see Thor in 3D at the cinema, pretty good film but 3D isn't really much use.

On the 11th I went to visit Mum in hospital, booked a ticket to see One Man Star Wars, then as part of the Brighton Festival I went to the Theatre Royal to see Circa, a fusion of circus skill, music and dance. The following week I went to see the Netherlands National Circus (also part of the festival).

Defrosted freezer (an annual event!)

Also went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Had my second hair cut after getting my pony tail lopped off after I turned 50. Then went to Worthing Pavillion Theatre to see One Man Star Wars with Charles Ross (I'd seen him in One Man Lord of the Rings before so wanted to complete the set!

My Mum came out of hospital the week my middle sister had book a holiday, so my younger sister came from Somerset to look after her for a week. The whole family was in one place and time on Mum's birthday so we celebrated all the missed birthday (my 50th and my sisters' 48th and 40th!) with her's.

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.

Current Location: At Home

Current Location: At Home

On Monday I went to the Hawth to see Bjorn Again. A great concert dancing in the isles for the second half.

On Tuesday I got a Chiropractic Scan, which indicated my back is in much better shape than I thought.

Wednesday I had to get my glasses adjusted, they had got bent out of shape and I couldn't see properly. D also got me a new phone, since I lost my earlier one. This one is very basic, but does everything I need.

Michael's Meanderings

Occasional comments on my life

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