Michael's Meanderings

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!

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.

The last ten days have been quite full and interesting!
As I mentioned I'm getting my whole kitchen replaced, walls and ceiling being repainted, new kitchen cabinets, floor tiles and cooker.

First to go were the old tiles and old cabinets, with the old cooker. The old tiles were ripped off the floor and have been replaces, most of the walls have been repainted (except where new cupboards are going). The new sink unit has been plumbed in and a bit of rotten wall has been replaced.

The new gas cooker has been fitted, and the fridges, freezer, washer and dishwasher have return to the kitchen from their sojourn in the hall way. Most of the plumbing has now been refitted and I hope to be able to actually eat at my kitchen table sometime soon.

In addition to all the kitchen stuff, I've had to get my phone SIM card replaced and a mini SD memory chip installed in my phone. I also visited my chiropractor who indicated I'd pulled a tendon in my right heel!

In then went to Brighton to get a gift and a card for my Dad who celebrated 50 years as a priest on Sunday. When I got home I called my parents and they came to pick me up so I could visit. They were impressed with the kitchen, though the cooker and other appliances hadn't moved by then.

I gave Dad his card and gift and he seems to enjoy them, I also gave my Mum an early birthday present an Audio/Video PC2TV connection cable and instructions how to use them!

On Sunday the whole family came to church (even my niece's boyfriend who had never been to church before!) My Dad mostly celebrated, with assistance, for the first time this year! There were munchies and cake after the service.

After close friends and family (both my aunts and uncles) came back to the house for a buffet lunch. The sun was shining and the sky was blue so we all sat outside, and had a good time.

Since it was a Bank holiday I stayed over till Monday, when I went shopping with my sister, for a present for my Mum, as it was/will be her birthday on Wednesday 27th. We found what we were looking for and then I was taken home, (sister was impressed with the kitchen too) and we went to town to get a few bit that were needed.

The weather on Monday was terrible so I didn't go out for a walk, also my right heel was a bit painful.

I've got a postal vote (since by working in London I might not get home before polls close) and it arrived for the local and european elections yesterday and I will be posting them off today. Hope it gets back in time.

My sister's cat had kittens on 21 July, five weeks ago. I finally visited to see the furballs, and they are 5 balls of cuteness.

She has documented their progress in a thread on TheCatSite.com called Huni's kittens, there are dozens of photos and short comment.

Since it's a bank holiday I'm staying an extra day, it's been very nice weather wise, and their garden is prettier and bigger than mine ;-)

There was a certain amount of rain & thunder on Friday afternoon. But despite this I managed to visit Forbidden Planet, & pick up a few books, without getting drenched.

However when I got to Victoria NO south bound trains were running at all! Fortunately for me, the first one to run, stopped at my station so the 18:17 actually left at 20:10ish, I only had a 40 minute wait. (Which considering the circumstances was marvelous).

Saturday I was eagerly waiting for an amazon parcel, which arrived just after nine. I spent the rest of the day reading "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". I think it's the best book in the series YMMV, and I'm not saying any more [spoiler etc.].

As a result of reading all day, didn't get a chance to go shopping, but fortunately I'd stocked up the previous weekend, so I didn't run out of anything!

On Monday at Juggling class I managed to set two personal bests. I juggled 3 clubs in a cascade for over two hundred throws. In addition I managed 9 passes with clubs, throwing to Tim ("teacher"). We also managed a couple of 8 throws to so in general this was a major improvement.

It's been very warm all week, it's 30°C in the office at the moment, since we don't have any air-con.... We are hoping for a portable solution soon, but we're not holding our collective breaths! It may be some time as the building, currently [pun!] doesn't have appropriate wiring for the extra power use!