#i’ve been up since 4am and it’s 8:30 pm right now and i’m still on my guard and i haven’t rested my head or shut my eyes because i’m so so

[ociels]

i feel so pathetic for feeling like this

[lockdownuk]

Lockdown Diary Part 6

A personal account during the lockdown in the UK due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

23/03/2020 8:30pm Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, gives a live address to the nation to, effectively, put the country on lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus strain, Covid-19.

Many of us have been self-isolating for days but this latest development within the UK in reaction to the pandemic feels very serious and very scary. I decided to keep a simple diary and where better but online.

Day 151: Great hour or so last night around Foggy’s. When I got home I watched World War Z and some stand up by Nate Bargatze and drank and smoked loads. Today, I got up just before 2pm and felt soooo unmotivated. I was going to have a day of doing fuck all but had a change of heart around 7pm so did my stair climb then walked for over an hour (7km) and got home at 9:30pm!

Day 152: Typing on day 153. I popped up and saw Foggy last night. One of the reasons was I wanted to take him a beer to say thanks for looking over my mitigation statement for my impending court hearing for speeding. He liked what i wrote but has given me some key amendments. Basically free solictor advice and I am very grateful. While there he hit me with the news that Ham’s sister, Preeya, has died (last Friday 14th August) from Covid 19. To say i was gobsmacked is an understatement. She was 49. The family could only talk to her over a loud speaker and had to say good bye that way as her life support was swithced off. Fucking hell, it’s terrible. And, what makes it worse, is how complacent I have become about the disease while it’s causing so much tragedy. As I said to Foggy, it’s important to renew our efforts in combatting this disease so that Preeya’s death at least means we learn. I also feel guilty for not realising that many people have passed like this - just because I (sort of) knew Preeya doesn’t mean I shouldn’t feel any less sorry for the dozens of people dying and many more affected everyday. My emotions are in turmoil and yet I’m not directly affected.

Day 153: Typing this on day 154. Gone midday before I woke up. Beers in the evening and watched Den of Thieves. Great film.

Day 154: Woke up at 2:37 pm FFS. Just done a walk and I feel like shit (booze induced).

Day 155: Went to bed at about 4am yesterday but was up at 10am today so, usual Monday correction of sleep patterns. Two long walks today plus a little housekeeping on photos, sharing to the Oundle chatter group, so, quite constructive. Hoir chat with dad plus a chat with a recruitment agemt about a helpdesk manager role in Peterborough.

Day 156: Typing on Day 157. I saw Karen sitting with TTP (and two others I couldn’t make out) at the T&K on my second walk. Why does that piss me off so much? I am being like Jack in Midnight Run. I need to let go.

I am also getting wound up with Tumblr - I can only make entries on this diary blog on the PC - when I try on the Android or Apple apps, they pop up with ‘post too long’. Trying getting info from Tumblr’s online help on that though - fucking not happening. I think I might move this to a Google Blog...it’s not like anyone else reads it. I’m not sure I’d want that - it’s far more a private diary now rather than the cute ‘blog’ idea it started out as. It is now a disciplinary exercise more than anything.

Day 158: Feeling less sorry for myself now. It’s 10pm and I am having a midweek beer as I wait for tea to cook.

Day 159: Decided I will split this diary into 30 day sections to appease Tumblr. My second walk today was at 8pm ‘cos it was pissing down from about 4pm ‘til 7:30pm...very dark and so wet. Home by 9.15pm.

Day 160: I went shopping in Corby (Tesco and Asda) - I only really went so I could get blue eggs. £75 on booze! I was going up to Fog’s tonight but at around 6pm it started to piss down. So, I shall drink at home. It’s 9.15pm, I think it’s going to get messy.

Day 161: Not sure when I wnet to bed last night but I didn’t get up until 2pm. Nice long walk (9km) in the rain!

Banners and Sam G went to London to have a few with Andy P. I’m a little flabbergasted, it’s like there’s no Covid19 all a sudden.

Day 162: Bank holiday Sunday so I am having a beer or two. Tea’s cooking, gonna watch The Accountant on BBC1 at 10.30pm. Today I got up at 1.55pm and managed to have a shower and be downstairs to see the start of the Belgian GP. Hamilton won, pretty easily. I then did my stair climb and a 9.8km (6 mile) walk.

Last night I watched a rather quirky, entertaining comic horror film called Ready or Not and then Ricky Gervais - Fame. That’s the tour I saw him live after seeing Henman’s final tennis match at the Davis Cup at Wimbledon. Bloody funny - the recording could even be the show Karen and I were at. Bed at around 5am, hence not egtting up ‘til way past midday!

Day 163: Bank Holiday Monday, just like a Sunday. I am making this entry on my phone as I'm now able to due to breaking up the diary blog into 30 day sections.

Molly's Game, a film I've tried to rewatch several times but it's never been free, is on BBC2 tonight. I'm recording it right now but actually watching Seinfeld from the start on All4. The first couple of episodes are a bit ropey if truth be told. Luckily, I know it improves.

Day 164: Managed to get hold of Michelle via her daughter Daisy to place a nice big order for C. Just as well ‘cos Tim’s ignoring me!

Rang and spoke with Barry Haddon today to check he’s OK.

Day 165: Picked up C from Michelle’s in Yarwell. While there I was mauled by her over friendly Staffordshirebull terrier getting bit on the thigh. Twice in six months I’ve been bitten by dogs.

Karen WhatsApp’d to see if I’d seen Miley Cyrus on the Live Lounge!

Day 166: Forgot to say that yesterday, I also bumped into and chatted with Pete Gilder. We mainly talked about (getting caught) speeding.

Today I did over 22k steps and I am fucked. 

I replied to an email from Shirley at work HR. After the furloughed staff call on Thursday, which I didn’t attend, they want us to cash in some (more) hoilday, which is fine by me, but I have also asked if we are any clearer as to what happens on 1st October, when the rentention scheme ends. I await her reply.

Day 167: Another 20k stpes today. Just 24k needed to have completed 1m steps since the start of July.

It’s Friday, about 9.45pm. I’m going to watch Molly’s Game and have a few beers.

Day 168: Got up at just before 2pm. It’s now 10.15pm and I am just having my first beer, Today was a lazyish day, completed 12k steps.

Day 169: Completed the 1m steps with 24 days to spare. Woohoo. Now, I am unsure whether to reduce the walking I have got so used to doing? I think I might keep up an average of 11k steps a day which is all I would have needed to accomplish to reack 1m in 3 months.

I’m pleased I did it today since I :went to bed a nearly 5am this morning!

Day 170: Actually typing this on day 171. Feels weird having done the 1m steps, almost like I’ve nothing to do. However, I am of course going to keep walking but not quite as hard/much. I did feel liek I was walking myself into the ground all in the name of finishiong the task ASAP. So, today I only had one walk, did 11,5k.

Yesterday’s Italian GP was a cracker. Hamilton had a penalty and ikt ended up with Gasly winning. Full of incident including a red flag so the race ‘restarted’.

I completely forgot ot make this entry on the correct day?

Day 171: I have decided to press on with the walking - not quite so urgently as before - to see what I can achieve steps-wise in 3 months. So, today, an unusually hot day for September, I did 18k steps plus cleaned the bathroom, hoovered my room and stairs and hallway. I am fucked!

Today I have bought a set of smart scales and a new pair of Skechers. The Skechers were almost free (£69 reduced to £30ish which I had in Paypal) and the scales were £20. Still, I shouldn’t. I don’t know what will happen at the end of October when the CJRS ends plus I don’t know what punsihment will be dished out, any day now, for the speeding offence! Fuck it!

Day 172: An eventful day. Boris has restricted gatherings to no more than 6 people and will use ‘Covid Marshalls’ to police this. It’s causing a stir amongst the online community. I have set up accounts with Gurushots and Picfair to showcase my snaps. The latter offers the opportunity to sell them. I watched Anchorman 2. It was pretty good. I also postd on the Oundle chatter group about walking in front of a car the other day - the driver, a yound lady, was enchanting the way she just smiled and let me pass - I used it as an opportunity to ask about George Higgins saving a child from near death at the hands of a lorry, the post about which has disappeared.

Day 173: Lots have seen my post re: my car incident but the bait hasn’t been taken.

Sarah Haines made a nice comment about my photo posts on the Oundle Chatter group also saying that she doesn’t know me but, it turns out she does. She is James Watson’s ex from when I first moved to Oundle so we caught up on Messenger.

Rachel Harris posted a meme slating Boris about the fact we were all encouraged to go out and about (inclding the Eat Out to Help Out scheme) and now we are being sent back to ‘our room’. Some of the comments continue to slate the government. I couldn’t resist commenting that, had the royal ‘we’ maintined social distancing and remembered there’s a fucking pandemic, perhaps we might not be under impending severe lockdown, as it now looks like. I also mentioned photos I have seen (one posted by Rach herslf) whereby you could be mistaken for thinking that there isn’t a pandemic. I have finished the comment with a line about we can only blame ourselves, not the hapless government! I wonder what reaction that will get!

Day 174: Scales were delivered today. If they are accurate I am a little over 11 stones, from 12st 7lbs before lockdown. Can’t quite believe it. I have a yearly diabetic review with Lynne in October so i can check then. If the scales are wrong, I’ll be livid on 2 scores!

Friday night beers as I type. Been looking forward to them since last Saturday!

Day 175: I do not trust the new scales. I get a different reading each time I step on them and by 10-12 lbs. Fucking things. Boots arrived today - they’re going back as well. Footy season started today. Posh lost away to Acrrington Stanley. “Who are they?”

Day 176: The GP was reflagged again today (a new track at Tuscany. A red flag two races on the trot is most unusual. Hamilton won.

Day 177: I managed to get the scales working. I’m pretty much the same weight I was prior to ld (about 12.5 st). This leads me to believe that if I wasn’t doing all the walking I am, I would be as fat as a fucking house. On that note, Google Fit is playing up. It loses the step and heart point count for each walk (although the workouts retain the route map info) Wtf?

I think K and TTP might be a thing from a post I saw on FB whereby some chap (who I don’t know) commented on TTP’s post that it was nice to see him and K. Kinda gutted if it is true but I shouldn’t be. That’s all I will say on here.

Day 178: Jim contacted me today to let me know he’s leaving RCI. He was quite secretive about why and what’s going on but, there it is. He went on to say that HR will be contacting me shortly to call me back from furlough. Sueanne is taking over as team leader but that’s temporary. and that they will most likely promote from within. I struggling to think what it would be like if Mark was boss! The way RCI are and how disjointed it is with Jim as boss, I shan’t take it as read until HR do contact me. Also, I dunno how I feel about it...I have got so used to not working. But, and it’s a big but, I doubt I’ll have a job after the retention scheme finishes so, if this does pan out, it’s good. I’ll be back to job hunting while in a job, as per before the pandemic.

Also, I received an email letting me know the punishment for my speeding offence was 6 points and a £233 fine, plus costs (£90) and victim support (£34), £357 in total. More than I expected. But, no ban, so I’ll suck it up. 

Day 179: Having midweek beers. I'm in that sort of mood.

Day 180: I WhatsApp’d Jim to let him know HR haven’t contacted me. His garbled response went from telling to give them a shout and let them know he is leaving, to which I asked ‘don’t they know?’, he then said hold fire (on Sueanne’s instruction) and she has said for me to sit tight and then, finally, that HR will contact me! Fuck knows what’s going on! I had a diabetic review with Lynne today. When you go to the surgery you have to let in, which I was by Keren. It was nice to see and chat with her. She is back with Ronnie which was news to me. Then Lynne came and got me. It was nice to see and chat with her also. She weighed me and I’m 12st 3lb. Apparently in Jan last year I was over 13st!

[matty-colt-blog]

how to be three and a half hours late. // timeline.

subject: the ride up to the mountains & related hijinks.

characters: @matty-colt, @mvcnessa, @cassandra-rainwater, @eamon-eldridge

setting: day one, eight am to three-thirty pm.

content warning: drinking & driving.

tl;dr: the girls took forever to get ready, eamon almost bailed, matty had a run-in with a cop, and the gang got stupid lost in the mountains (thanks, linda).

note: this timeline was written one character at a time, starting with matty, then passed onto peach for vanessa’s perspective, then to jess for cassie’s, then to john for eamon’s. finally it got a few edits by yours truly and then was sent back in its entirety to all the writers for any final adjustments. what resulted was a much more complete picture of the drive up, and it was a fun way to get around the whole multiple-muses-one-event issue without doing a 4-way para or a bunch of canon-diverging self-paras. if anyone wants to try this in the future, i'd recommend it! 

the good stuff’s under the cut.

Cassie, 7:55 AM: God, no, is that my alarm already? Nessa and I stayed up way too damn late last night.

Vanessa, 8:03 AM:Whose idea was it to get up at 8?

Cassie, 8:35 AM: Okay, shower done. I need to dry my hair and then I should probably help Nessa finish packing.

Vanessa, 8:37 AM: I’ve finally made it into the shower, but it was probably a bad idea to get in last since I’m not completely finished packing… Oops.

Cassie, 9:25 AM: Shit, where are my boots? Please don’t tell me I left them at home.

Eamon, 9:30 AM: My third alarm’s gone off but I’m still laying in bed.  Matty’s supposed to be here with his car in like a half hour and I haven’t even showered. Shit, I should definitely shower. 

Matty, 9:32 AM: Car packed, XM station picked (Road Trip Favourites), ready to hit the road. Next stop: V’s place. Let’s all pray that the girls are ready. We’re on a tight schedule here.

Vanessa, 9:44 AM: Matty’s here and we’re still not ready. I’m getting my last minute things together, but I don’t really know where Cass went? I yell for her.

Cassie, 9:44 AM: Nessa’s calling for me and I still haven’t found my boots. Fuck.

Matty, 9:51 AM: Been outside V’s place for about five minutes. I wanna go in and check on them but god knows if I do we’ll never get out of here.

Matty, 9:57 AM: Texted V. She says they’ll be five minutes, so it’ll be at least fifteen.

Eamon, 9:58 AM:  And I still haven’t showered.  Instead I’m looking at Cassie’s Facebook feeling like a loser.  Wow, how the fuck am I supposed to face her?  Or anyone.  I text Matty to give me like, five-ten extra minutes and hit the shower.

Matty, 10:00 AM: I text E back three robot faces. Hopefully that gets the point across. At this point, I have no idea when we'll get to his place.

Vanessa, 10:02 AM: Where the fuck is my backpack???

Cassie, 10:03 AM: Found my boots, but now Nessa can’t find her backpack. We’re never going to leave.

Matty, 10:05 AM: Rush comes on the radio. Nice. Jam out for a while.

Matty, 10:12 AM: Going a little stir crazy. Got my ball and started doing drills up the sidewalk. Got bored with that and just started seeing how high up in the air I could throw it.

Eamon, 10:13 AM:  I get out of the shower and start moving downstairs.  I put all my stuff together last night at like, 4AM because I couldn’t sleep.  At least it’s saving my ass now that I’m late.

Matty 10:18 AM: Apologized to Mrs. Martin across the street for throwing a basketball into her prize rosebush.

Vanessa, 10:19 AM: Just watched Matty assault Mrs. Martin’s garden. Not to be mean, but her reaction was hilarious. I swear I saw Matty laugh.

Cassie, 10:19 AM: Matty just ruined Mrs. Martin’s rosebush. I half expected her to turn him over he knee in the middle of the street. It was amazing.

Matty, 10:20 AM: THE DOOR IS OPEN. HALLELUJAH.

Eamon, 10:20 AM: Where the fuck are they?

Matty, 10:22 AM: Give Mrs. Moore a hug and shake Mr. Moore’s hand. Tell him he better lock up the Missus or I’m gonna scoop her up for myself. They both laugh. She is pretty hot, though. In a MILF-y way. V’s gonna age real well.

Vanessa, 10:22 AM: They laughed, but they don’t really know him. I roll my eyes before hugging my parents goodbye.

Matty, 10:25 AM: V and Cassie are still standing in the foyer trying to figure out who’s gonna carry what to the car. I’m losing my mind waiting, so I tell them I’ll take it all. V looks skeptical. Cassie outright laughs.

Eamon, 10:29 AM: I’ve convinced myself they’ve ditched me and start pacing the foyer of my apartment complex.  I start berating myself for thinking anyone wanted me to come on this stupid trip.  Sam probably only sent the event to me out of pity.

Matty, 10:32 AM: Okay, so, the important part is that we all know that I am very strong and got all of the bags and the cooler, like, three-quarters of the way to the car before I tripped on a decorative rock. In my defense, the cooler was blocking my view of the ground.

Cassie, 10:34 AM: I’m never letting Matty try to show off again. (That’s a lie. It’s kind of cute when he does.)

Vanessa, 10:35 AM: Matty ate shit trying to play strong man and carrying our stuff to the car. I appreciated it to begin with, but after laughing so hard I nearly fell to the ground myself I have a new found love for that kid.

Matty, 10:36 AM: The girls seem... charmed? Apparently I'm so lovable I can pull off the hapless idiot look. Nice.

Matty, 10:40 AM: Car packed, road drinks distributed (none for me until we’re out of city limits), radio on (although this station seems to have taken a distinctly country turn). Cassie called shotgun infinity when we were like ten (a source of much debate, but I don’t fight her on it), so she’s up front.

Cassie, 10:41 AM: Settled in my forever seat up front with road drink numero uno. This is going to be a fabulous trip. Although this Kenny Chesney song is killing me slowly.

Eamon, 10:41 AM: I think about texting Matty but decide against it.  It would just seem desperate at this point.

Matty, 10:43 AM: Back on the road, forty-three minutes behind schedule.

Vanessa, 10:44 AM: Oh. My. God! MR. AMAN in his pink shorts!!! I can’t believe he still runs this route every day! Literally nothing has changed in this place.

Matty, 10:44 AM: Vanessa nearly screams and I jump. She points at Mr. Aman, running the same route he has since we were toddlers in his same ridiculous pink short-shorts. We all laugh and wave. Some things never change.

Cassie, 10:44 AM: I cannot believe Mr. Aman is still running around scarring children for life in those shorts. That guy’s gotta be like 90 or something now right?

Eamon 10:45 AM: Fuck it, I’m going back upstairs.  I start lugging my gear back towards the elevator.

Vanessa, 11:02 AM: I forgot that Eamon was driving up with us for a second, we’re so close to the mall. He’s lucky he lives so close… Did I bring my other boots?

Cassie, 11:04 AM: I totally forgot Eamon was coming with us. Haven’t spoken to him since senior year. This is gonna be hella awkward.

Matty, 11:06 AM: Finally get to E’s place. The proximity to the mall makes me nervous that V’s gonna suddenly remember something she needs.

Eamon, 11:07 AM: I’m finally finished getting the three of my bags and my iced tea back upstairs when I get the ‘We're here’ text.  I plunge deeper into self-loathing as I text him back, claiming to still be running late as I hurriedly get all my shit back into the elevator.

Vanessa, 11:07 AM: I can feel Matty staring at me through the rear view mirror. I’m gonna ask Cass if she remembers if I brought those boots, they’re a necessity.

Cassie, 11:08 AM: Thankfully Nessa didn’t forget her boots, but part of me is tempted to pretend that she did just to give us an excuse to go to the mall for a bit. I don’t think Matty would appreciate it though.

Eamon, 11:17 AM: I’m super out of breath but I try to play it off, waving at everyone as I finish dragging everything back out towards the car.

Matty, 11:18 AM: Get out to help him with his stuff. Go for a hug, and regret it immediately. I don’t think he’s into it.

Eamon, 11:18 AM: Matty goes to hug me and I shrink away.  I don’t want to give away how sweaty I am.

Matty, 11:20 AM: …I’m pretty sure one of these bags is just candy.

Matty, 11:23 AM: Car packed, radio on, second round of road drinks distributed (this time I take a swig of Cassie’s, wink at E in the back.) This is how an efficient pick up is done. Take note, ladies.

Eamon, 11:23 AM: I sit in the very back, avoiding eye contact with both of the girls.  I’m not still mad at Cassie, but I’m sure she’s still pissed at me.  I look up at the front and notice Matty taking a swig of something definitely alcoholic and he winks at me.  Dear Jesus, this was a horrible idea and we’re all going to die.

Matty, 11:25 AM: On the road, headed towards the 60. I yell back an apology to E, explaining that some people don’t just wake up as naturally stunning as he does. I smirk at the girls.

Eamon, 11:26 AM: I tell Matty I didn’t mind and that it gave me time to herd out the guys from last night’s orgy.  I am immediately filled with regret and decide to dig into the pixi stix in my bag.

Matty, 11:26 AM:I make some joke like 'Where was my invite?' but I say it too quiet and Cassie's the only one that hears.

Cassie, 11:27 AM: Only Matty has the ability to make me roll my eyes twice in as many minutes.

Matty, 11:29 AM: Getting sick of this XM station. Too much John Denver. Switch to Club Hits. The girls seem into it. I don’t think E knows I can see him rolling his eyes in the rear-view mirror.

Eamon, 11:29 AM: I should have expected to have my ears assaulted like this.  Fucking hell, why did I forget my fucking earphones.

Cassie, 11:31 AM: Now this is a station I can jam to. I’m the right amount of tipsy for it.

Vanessa, 11:32 AM: Finally, some fun music. One whole not-water bottle later I’m a little too lit for acoustic, Cass clearly agrees. I try to get E to jam with us.

Eamon, 11:32 AM: Nessa’s positivity is infectious, so I laugh and tell her that I had a reputation to uphold as resident music snob.  I can’t be seen dancing to this.  I don’t mention how I’m pretty sure the whole car would make fun of me if I did.

Matty, 11:45 AM: Third round of drinks. I take a swig of V’s this time. I follow it with a shit ton of Gatorade, so don’t freak out or anything, it’s fine. Kinda gotta piss, though.

Matty, 11:55 AM: Nope. I really gotta piss.

Matty, 11:57 AM: We’re not quite out of civilization yet, but we’re a good half hour from the Last Chance gas station, so I pull up to the side of the road and tell the gang I’ll be right back. (Eye rolls, a “Gross, Matt”. They’re just jealous none of them can do it.)

Eamon, 11:57 AM: I give Matty a hard time, but…I’m jealous.  Fuck.

Matty, 11:59 AM: Sweet relief.

Matty, 12:00 PM: I swear to god, that cop car appeared out of thin air. Do people get booked for public urination? It’s gotta be a fine, right?

Eamon, 12:05 PM: I am melting into my seat when the police officer pulls us over.  I’ve done nothing wrong, but they’ve always just made me nervous.

Matty, 12:21 PM: Good news! The kindly officer of the law was a Devils fan! Once he realized who I was, he ripped up the ticket and we took a couple selfies and shot the shit. A little bit of a hold up, but we’re off scott-free! Gotta admit, there are some serious perks to this line of work.

Vanessa, 12:22 PM: Who would’ve thought Matty’s basketball career would save us? I’m just relieved I didn’t have to call my dad to get us out of it.

Cassie, 12:22 PM: I cannot believe Matty managed to not get a ticket because he plays basketball. What fucking luck.

Eamon, 12:22 PM:  Thank you Jesus.  Thank you God.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Matty, 12:23 PM: Wow. I am so lucky he didn’t look in the car. So many open containers.

Matty, 12:42 PM: We are officially off the beaten path! Well, I mean, I guess it’s still the highway, but theres nothing but red dirt and cacti ahead of us, and not so many cars on the road. It’s not like the Superstition Mountains are exactly a vacation hot spot.

Vanessa, 12:47 PM: I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen the red sand. It feels like I’ve been gone for so long… It also makes me kind of miss California.

Cassie: 12:52 PM: Spending the last few years in Massachusetts has made me forget just how big and sparse this place can be. I kind of miss it a bit.

Eamon, 12:53 PM: On days like this, I get really nostalgic for the green trees in Montana.  Being able to look so far you can see the curve of the earth has always made me feel lonely.

Matty, 12:54 PM: The Last Chance gas station. Dirty as fuck, but they’ve got the essentials. I fill up the tank and grab a sugar-free red bull and some jerky I probably won't eat. Flirt with Cassie a little while V and Eamon use the washrooms. Fiddle with the hem of her shirt. Stare at her lips and ask how her fiance is. I’m a bad person.

Cassie, 12:54 PM: This place is disgusting there’s no way in hell I’m peeing here. I’ll just hold it until we get to the campsite or something. And to be honest I’ve kind of missed Matty’s blatant flirting too. Sending nudes just isn’t the same. He asks about Kate and I just chuckle and tell her she’s doing fine. I know he doesn’t really care.

Eamon, 12:56 PM: As much as I truly loath public restrooms, I’m not looking forward to having to squat outside.  I regret never getting the hang of an STP.  It hits me just how dysphoric this trip is going to make me feel.  I decide to take a few moments to look in the mirror and focus on good changes.  Like the fact my facial hair is coming in nicely, and that my scars have faded enough that I can actually take my shirt off on this trip.

Vanessa, 12:57 PM: These bathrooms are disgusting. Everything is stained red from the sand, covered in scuffs and scratches; and god only knows what else. I would honestly rather pee outside, it’d probably be more sanitary. Matty had the right idea.

Matty, 12:59 PM: V comes around the side of the building and I wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her in with me and Cassie. The Three Amigos. Just like the old days. We’re gonna have a reaaaaal good time together up on that big, scary mountain. They roll their eyes in such perfect unison that I could’ve sworn they practiced it. V elbows me in the side and Cassie laughs. Ah, friendship.

Vanessa, 1:02 PM: Things are starting to feel more like home. I really missed these guys.

Cassie, 1:04 PM: The three musketeers are back together again. It’s amazing that it took so long for all three of us to be back in the same place at the same time. I worry that Eamon is feeling left out, though.

Eamon, 1:05 PM: I finally get out of the bathroom and see everyone laughing and talking and I feel my stomach drop.  I debate getting a pack of cigarettes to help feel better, but I decide against it since I can never remember DD’s brand.  Instead I head back to the car without so much as making eye contact.

Matty, 1:13 PM: Back on the road for the last leg of the trip. I crack a beer of my own now that we’re well and truly clear of any patrolling officers.

Eamon, 1:13 PM: I think about saying something about the beer, but I know Matty has a high tolerance and I’m knee deep in self-loathing so I leave him to it.

Cassie, 1:14 PM: I totally should have gone to the bathroom at the Last Chance gas station. Shit. I’m gonna have to ask Matty to pull over. 

Cassie, 1:16 PM: Thank god I had the foresight to pack some toilet paper.

Cassie, 1:30 PM: Okay, back in the car. Here we go.

Matty, 1:30 PM: I try to give Cass a public-urination-solidarity high-five, but she looks at me with an unprecedented level of disgust. And that's really saying something. I've said some weird shit to her in bed.

Matty, 1:35 PM: Wow. I forget how big mountains are up close.

Matty, 1:41 PM: The road is getting pretty bad. The car handles it fine, but it’s too bumpy to drink any more. Bottoms up!

Vanessa, 1:42 PM: All of us trying to chug the what was left of our drinks while Matty continued up the road was as challenging as it was funny. We surprisingly didn’t make a mess and managed to finish every last drop. The fact that we’re that good makes me think we love alcohol a little too much, but it’s 5′o’clock somewhere.

Cassie, 1:42 PM: Wow, I am honestly so proud of us for not spilling any of our alcohol.

Matty, 1:50 PM: Thank god for satellite GPS. I named this one Linda. Thank you, Linda.

Cassie, 1:51 PM: I can’t believe he named his GPS Linda. What the hell kind of name is Linda?

Matty 1:55 PM: Linda, are you sure?

Matty, 2:02 PM: This can’t be right.

Matty, 2:14 PM: Linda, where the fuck are we?

Vanessa, 2:15 PM: Listening to Matty have a one sided argument with “Linda” had to be the highlight of this entire car ride.

Matty, 2:17 PM: Okay, fuck GPS. We are strong, capable men and women. We can do this.

Matty, 2:32 PM: We’re never gonna find them. We’re gonna die up here.

Matty, 2:35 PM: We get out of that fucking car to brainstorm (and have another beer).

Vanessa, 2:37 PM: None of us know where the fuck we are. It probably doesn’t help that we’re not only a little drowsy but tipsy, too. It’s fine though… It’s fine. We’re fine. (Not fine.)

Cassie, 2:38 PM: I have absolutely no clue where we are or how to get where we need to go. I just got out of the car so I could have an excuse to drink another beer.

Matty, 2:41 PM: We get back in the car. The car has AC.

Eamon, 2:42 PM: I am the only one not diluted with alcohol so I stay outside of the car and try to find a landmark of some kind.  This should not be the near-sighted-one’s job, but here we are.

Eamon, 2:55 PM: Eventually I think I spot a familiar blur on the horizon and try and get Matty’s attention to confirm what I see.

Matty, 2:57 PM: EAMON SPOTTED ASH’S CAR. WE’RE SAVED.

Cassie, 2:58 PM: GOD BLESS, EAMON.

Vanessa, 2:58 PM: Thank God for E. I hugged him.

Eamon, 2:58 PM: I am suddenly being showered in praise and attention.  I actually hug Vanessa back and get back into the car feeling good about myself.

Matty, 2:59 PM: Okay, so, we’re on the wrong peak of the mountain. We have to drive back down and then up again, but I don’t really mind. At least we know where the fuck we’re going now. Bless you, E.

Matty, 3:32 PM: We have arrived! Reunions, hugs, awkward handshakes! Another, much needed, beer! And only…. Oh fuck. Three and a half hours late.

Vanessa, 3:32 PM: Reunited and it feels so weird, but so good. Time for hugs! This trip was definitely the right thing to do.

Cassie, 3:32 PM: I have never been so happy to be at the top of a mountain. Also, I’m not getting in a car for at least three days. Now for more drinks.

Eamon, 3:32 PM: Now that we’re actually here, it’s time to try and make amends with all the people I disappeared on.  First thing’s first: Peach O’s.

[geese-villain]

what did become of your military thing? I'm curious!

So, I actually completely forgot about this. (And I haven’t even noticed that I had an anon messaging me… Sorry. Tumblr notifications are weird.)

By now, I’m practically and officially out of the military and I’m done serving my eleven months (I extended by one, because of money, pretty much. And because I had a lot of vacation time left.) The first three months I spent in basic training and the past months since the beginning of 2017 I’ve been serving on a German warship, the frigate “Augsburg”. 

There are so many stories to tell and so many things I could go into detail with, but I’ll just try to keep it brief and concise for now (I’m in the US right now and it’s like 11:30 pm… For some reason I’m tired.)

Basic training was a lot of fun. I loved the pressure, getting yelled at, crawling in the mud, camping outside, the weapon training, my drill instructors, the uniform, my amazing, amazing platoon with all my comrades in it, pretty much everything. 

There were issues, we had almost no time for physical exercise, we spent a lot of time unnecessarily waiting and there was quite some disorganization and conflict in our team of drill instructors. But in the end, I like to focus on the positive things and all in all it was a unique experience I will definitely never forget.

My time on the ship afterward was varying in how much I enjoyed it. I spent a lot of time being bored to death and just sitting there waiting for duty to be over. Especially in the port, not being on a voyage of any kind, stripped me of almost all my duties and left me with nothing to do. 

On the overall nine weeks (split up into two missions, a six week and a three week one) of training missions I went on, I was still bored a lot, but in between, there were a lot of great moments and I did learn a lot about myself and my ability to adjust to my environment. 

Let’s just sum this up real quick:

- I lived together with seven other girls in a small room with three beds stacked over each other on three sides of the room

- The hours on sea are kind of weird and always changing, it messes with your metabolism and biorhythm. A lot. from 7 am to 5 pm you have to be awake. In addition to that on every first day of three I had duty from 12:00 pm to 4am, on every second day from 4 am to 8 am and from 6 pm to 12pm and on every third day of three no extra duty (but you have to be up for duty at 12 am again). Once you get into a routine it is fun though and I kind of enjoyed dealing with the different challenges and privileges of each watch and looking forward to them.

- You don’t see a lot of sunlight. There are no windows.

- I get seasick. ALL THE TIME.

- The food is not that great. 

- The room I worked in was always cold. Freezing cold. On some days I spent almost 20 hours straight in the cold.

- Cleaning duty. I got used to it, at some point it becomes almost meditative, but one hour a day, on Thursdays two hours kind of sucks a little bit. 

All in all, these are the general specifications and challenges of life on sea. Looking back, I really enjoyed it. Highlights included our combat exercises, playing an injured soldier, getting a real-live infusion by our ship’s doctor (for practise purposes), seeing Eurofighters fly training attack maneuvers on our ship, and the last week, where everybody (including my first officer and my direct superior officer) desperately tried to keep me there/make me sign up as an officer (not in a bad way though, they were so nice…). I got to work in other areas than my own, I got a tour through all the engine rooms of the ship, and on the final day, I witnessed a beautiful sunrise on the bridge and actually got to steer the gigantic warship I had served on for only half a year. 

I am leaving the Navy with an amazing employer’s reference, the support of all my superior officers, an official military acknowledgment for fulfilling my duty exceptionally well, but first and foremost I have experienced amazing, unique and once-in-a-lifetime moments, I have met an amazing crew and I am thankful for all the support and the friendly reception I experienced. 

All of this already feels so distant to me, because right now I’m in the US for two semesters of studying film production in California. Thanks for bringing that up again, anon, it’s great to review all the things that happened from some kind of emotional distance. 

If you’re interested in any further specifics, just ask me more questions, I’ll absolutely answer them, but it could take a few days.

Stuff’s busy, stuff’s great. 

[lockdownuk]

Lockdown Diary Part 1

A personal account during the lockdown in the UK due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

23/03/2020 8:30pm Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, gives a live address to the nation to, effectively, put the country on lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus strain, Covid-19.

Many of us have been self-isolating for days but this latest development within the UK in reaction to the pandemic feels very serious and very scary. I decided to keep a simple diary and where better but online.

Day 1: Last night Boris called it, today we’re doing it. I had started working from home (wfh) yesterday as had most people at my work (RCI)..last week I had been preparing laptops as fast as poss for everyone. Even just today, the idea of going into work seems alien and dangerous. Now lockdown (ld) means that it would soon be illegal to do so unless utterly necessary.

Online, FaceBook (fb) especially, is awash with reaction…a lot of calling out people who are out and about in greater numbers than 2, which is against ld rules.

Day 2: Just trying to let work occupy my thoughts and time which is easy enough ‘cos everyone I support (IT engineer) is new to wfh and is having teething problems with all the new laptops. Meanwhile, I keep abreast of comings and goings online…actually socially interacting more than I might otherwise, weirdly

Day 3: Highlight of the day is an online quiz organised by a chap called Jay Flynn on fb…a bunch of us took it as individuals while chatting on Messenger while Jay streamed quiz over fb live and YouTube. It was a good crack and I had two cans of Coors Light which got me pissed!

Day 4: Work is still mad - so many people with IT issues wfh…it’s challenging trying resolve all these probelms remotely but I am rising to it. I actually enjoy it. It satisfies my want for problem-solving.

The ld is in full swing but it’s very early days. The news is dominated, obviously, by Covid-19 and the ever changing stats of infections and deaths. Today, for example, the USA took over, from China, as the country with the most infections. I know there will be an end to all this and I am determined to be there, going out, getting pissed down the pub, gigging, shaking hands with my mates, hugging anyone and everyone who’ll let me - it’ll be a proper party. But I am filled with a dread that it’s going to be a fucking long time coming.

This evening was spent virtually with Foggy, Ham and Andy P…doing a quiz - a rehearsal for Foggy in the hope of doing one to a wider audience next week. It was good fun and great to have a few beers chatting with everyone, Later I video called Fog and we drank ‘til gone midnight, putting the world to rights. I was well pissed.

Day 5: First non-work day of the ld. Housework, daily walk, out for supplies (drop a script order off…queuing outside boots for 15 minues!, bread, baccy and booze). This evening, I’m listening to the next album in NME list of 1985 albums I’m working through - Grace Jones Slave to the Rhythm…fucking pain in the arse ‘cos it’s not on Spotify so I am searching for each song, in order, on YouTube. Plus eating and drinking, of course. Quick video chat with karen and Grace, Dan in the background. I wanted a tin of kidney beans for chilli but Karen hasn’t got one ffs. Burger it is. They are all playing scrabble - I’d love to join in…

Day 6: A quiet day…housework, cooking, daily walk. Highlight was a half hour chinwag with dad who, as I would expect, despite his 84 years, is coping and doing just fine. Most other people with a dad that age would have, on top of their own concerns, something more to worry about during this crisis….for me, it feels like I’ve got someone to turn to, should I need to.

Day 7: Work is starting to feel more routine but it’s a long way off being in the office, which is never routine anyway. That may seem surprising since I do IT support but it’s a varied role, especially at the modern dinosaur of an organisation that is RCI. I try to be as disciplined as possible but I miss not dressing for work, not driving to work, not needing to actually prepare lunch (until lunchtime). I don’t actually need to shower every morning. I don’t think I have to ordinarily but do because I’m mixing with others in the office. I certainly don;t need to now. I only mix with me, so showering becomes a chore but I’m doing it every other morning in the name of the aforementioned discipline. I am worried how long RCI can keep going before laying staff off. I dread being out of work full stop, let alone during this ld, or even thereafter. I think the economies of the world will need time to recover so finding work will be tough à la 2008. I think, if lay-offs were to occur, I’d be in real danger. Last in first out and all that. But, I’ll cross that bridge if and when I come to it.

Day 8: At work there was a large online meeting whereby the MD told us that RCI are going to furlough some staff. The UK, and Ireland staff will be consulted this coming Thursday and Friday (it’s Tuesday today). I shall be reading up on what the furlough arrangements are in the UK due to Covid-19. I know the government have set aside some money, I need to know what I might get paid and how to claim it. In the past, when I’ve been out of work, I’ve been entitled to jack shit other than JSA, This time around, should I be laid off as I expect, I might not have to eat into my savings, fingers crossed. Meanwhile, I have decided to knock up another blog with a photo of myself each day of the ld (from now on) - it’s a sister to this diary.

Day 9: Actually typing this on day 10. Yesterday was a strange day as I contemplate being furloughed (hope for the best, expect the worst)…I’d be paid 80% of my wage according to what the government have said to assist in the Covid-19 crisis…so, were that to be true, I’d be OK money-wise, although still earning way less than I want to prepared for retirement (I am currently still waiting for feedback on a pay increase request I put in at work last year!) I’m more worried about how I would fill my day if I wasn’t working. So, that being said, I flopped and moped about all yesterday evening after my daily walk and, without achieving much at all, didn’t find time to write this entry on the right day…so maybe I can fill my days without much effort!

Day 10: I was furloughed today, starting 5pm tomorrow (Friday 3rd April) and it’s fucked me off. I know it’s not personal but, actually, do I? They’re cutting back the Kettering Desktop team by one, redacted It seems obvious to do this by the ‘last in, first out’ maxim but what about money? others are on more than me (redacted). What about offering it voluntarily - others might go for 80% pay for fuck all - others have family at home to occupy the day  (redacted) . A little bit of me thinks it might be preferable furlough me  (redacted) …others seems to be a favourite and that annoys me. It annoys me because I think I shoot myself in the foot too often. I’m too vocal about some of the (redacted) decisions and practices at work, plus other reasons that I know but can’t be bothered to type. But, my point, is I don’t play the politically correct, corporate game and therefore forget to look out for my own best interests. FUCK.

So, as of tomorrrow evening, I’ve no work to do. The challenge will be to find a way to occupy my day. I’ve already registered to volunteer for the NHS during the ld…let’s see what becomes of that. And I’ve signed up for web development course. I’m going to get fucking pissed this w/e, starting early tomorrow evening.

Day 11: It’s day 12 as I am writing this entry…that might tell any reader, and remind me, that I did as I promised and got pretty drunk. I spent the day geting my work affairs in order i.e. clearing down support tickets assigned to me. I did a good job, nothing left to handover to the remaining team (Jim, Cristina and Mark) and onky one ticket put into the assigned pool. Some nice converstaions were had with associates, many of whom are, too, being furloughed. Nice words were said and Jim and Mark both were supportive in conversations and messages - they both know I don’t wnat this and, I think, they are both relieved it’s not happening to them. 5 pm arrives and I shutdown my work laptop for the last time for at least 12 weeks. After my daily walk, I video chat with Karen, crack open a beer, make Chinese chicken curry (fucking loads, fucking tasty), finish watching The National Theatre stream of One Man, Two Guvnors (really good, see twoinchreview) and the caught up with, and talked bollocks with Andy, Marc and Ham - we tried getting Rog in on it, no dice. I then watched The Heat (I fucking love that film), ate some more, smoked several single-skinners, drank, in total, three cans, seven bottles. I went to bed shortly after 4am. I felt resigned to my furlough and pleasantly wasted.

Day 12: A subdued day…didn’t wake until gone 1:30pm. Jaded but not really suffering. Mooched about, social media, listening to music, watching telly, farting about on the iPad. My daily walk, over the last fews days, has taken a twist…I am trying to run parts of it. Mainly short distances, 80-100m (I estimate) three, maybe four times. It’s fucking knackering me out. I used to run everywhere when I was a teen. Attempting to run now just makes me feel fucking old. Well, I am, so that’s about right.

Day 13: Another day like yesterday except I got up at 10:30 and didn’t feel jaded. The subdued feeling comes from the realsiation that the ld isn’t being treated as seriously as it should be across the board. The news and even posts by locals on FB (Oundle chatter group) suggest groups still meeting up. The weather this w/e has been a factor - 17°c today. I think a total ld will be enforced soon and that would fuck me off. My daily walk is pretty essential for me nowadays not least for the ‘good for your soul’ benefits that dad has always mentioned. Even today’s walk saw a car parked at the gates to the field on the way to Ashton and people on a blanket soaking up the sun, dogs off their leads and people (looked like a family) playing footy on South Road field. Individually they are not presenting any danger, what with the fact they are either living together or far away from others. But they are flaunting the rules and the more that happens the less likely they’ll carry on getting away with it, which will mean total ld for all! I finished the 50 1985 albums today. It mostly confirms to me that I only listened to two albums released that year (Kate Bush, The Waterboys) any other vinyl I spun would have already been in my collection pre-85.

The sausage casserole I made for tea was fucking lush - 4 birdeye chillies. I saw and spoke with Dan and Grace this morning, they were just coming back from a walk. I am pleased to fuck they are together and sorted out the issues they had earlier this year.

Day 14: My first day proper of furlough. Finished my two inch review of the NME 50 albums. Long chat with Rita, quick one with dad. Messaged Sam about Romiley’s present - she’s 10 on the 9th April (Thursday) - ordered some Lego thing from Amazon. Turned the car engine over (reminded myself the driver-side wing mirror is fucked) and moved it to another spot in the Co-op car park - bumped into Matt T. He’s struggling - no work coming in and he can’t claim any of the money on offer ‘cos he’s not being totally honest about his circumstances - made me realise I’m not that bad off…..but I feel depressed about it all, especially with the news that Boris has gone into intensive care.

Day 15: I began a diploma (?) course on web design with Shaw Academy (it was free). They have actual classes (which are recorded) which you schedule yourself. The first one was, I have to say, really interesting - I look forward to continuing. On my walk today, I saw a car parked at the gate to the field at the bottom of Riverside Close; it was branded with Cunninghams Estate Agent with a 01536 number. I am pretty sure I saw the driver walking her dog (unleashed) on the field. I took a photo and rang the number. Yes, I ratted the culprit out…fucking annoys me that I had to. Better than reporting to the police, all round. Hopefully her work will put a stop to her doing it and, the more people that adhere to the rules without the police getting wind of infractions, the more likely we’ll be able to continue to exercise away from home.

Day16: More online learning including checking out other sites (pluralsight) for more learning opportunities. Coded my first web page, basic but mine, in HTML and CSS. A few beers & smokes and watching White Boy Rick in the evening, interspersed with the usual social media / messaging shit, incuding this entry, of course!

Day 17: Typing this on Day 18. After a few beers last night while chatting with Fog (twice - the first chat ended with him ‘having’ to go to bed. Later, I noticed he was commenting on FB, so I video called him…round two of chatting!). I got quite fucking pissed. Bed around 4am.

Day18: Up at 1pm. Long walk today, 7 km. Anything over 40 minutes, I’ve realised, results in a hypo.

Day19: Well, having gone to bed at gone 5am I got up at nearly 1pm feeling far better than I should have. Breakfast followed by a walk, spoke with Karen (mowing her front lawn) and Dan. He and Grace have split up which is sad news but he seems OK. Went shopping (milk and sweets) and ended up with a shit load of booze, the post of which on FB was quite amusing. Homemade burgers for tea (they’re in the fridge as I type) - gonna try and make Five Guys…

Day20: The Five Guys burger attempt didn’t go as well as I wanted. I think less than 5% fat mince just doesn’t bind that well. However, I managed to get something resembling a burger into the bun and, with cheese, hot sauce and jalapeños, it was tasty enough. More of the same when I finish typing this entry. Strange Easter Day today, as I knew it would be. The best thing I saw today was a video Tom posted on FB of him and Molly doing a mashup of Starsailor and George Michael - Tom on guitar singing the former, Molly singing the latter. It was fucking fantatstic.

Day 21: Easter Monday. Surreal…it’s feeling very surreal now, this lockdown.

Two things that bother me right now:

i) The political point scoring on FB. I get it, I really do…people like to bring up ‘obvious’ failings in the party’s mistakes. For example, Marc posting comparisons between UK and Germany’s figures of cases and deaths due to Covid-19. I doesn’t make impressive reading for the government and it should be held accountable. But not fucking now!

ii) Will they introduce rotational furloughing at RCI? It’s only been a week, 11 to go. And, it bothers me that I was furloughed rather than Mark. Pathetic of me, I know! But, should it last the 12 week stretch, I want to go back to work and let someone else have the chance to have fuck all to do all day! That being said, I’m still learning web design through Shaw Academy. Even today, bank holiday, I revised Lesson 2.

Day22: Nice catchup with Dad today - he and Rita seem to be more than OK with lockdown. I actually cannot wait until we can meet up at The Farmers again!

Day 23: While I had a Corvee engineer come to the house today to do a gas safety check (I waited upstairs while he was here, self-isolation and all that), and had the fourth online web design lesson, had a trip to Boots to pick up insulin, got milk from Tesco’s, saw American Rachel and had a chat (while we both queued to get into Tesco’s) and had a very nice walk along a different route from the norm, in the pleasant sunshine and watched Contagion on Netflix - all today - I AM STILL BORED AS FUCK!

Day 24: I had plans for today - revise the last two lessons of Shaw Academy’s web design course, investigate a ethical hacking course, do some washing, clean upstairs (or at least the bathroom) plus all the usual stuff. Then, as a reward, have some beers. Well, guess what. I am not having beers this evening. I managed the laundry. Plus I manged to subtitle my YouTube perfect snabby video (something I have been meaning to do for a while, but, come on!) It took me fucking ages. But it is funny! So, a fucking far from fruitful day. Plus the government announced at least 3 more weeks of lockdown. There’ll be loads more, I reckon. Tomorrow…I promise I’ll be better tomorrow…

Day 25: I did do better! Firstly the Corveee man fucked the boiler which I only noticed late yesterday but still managed to get sorted today. I did some excellent revision and learning of HTML (tags) and CSS. I cleaned the bathroom and hall. And I discovered TikTok (fucking excellent dancing and funny vids) plus discovered a new FaceBook word game (Sam sent me an invite) called WordBlitz and I am pretty good. Having beers now (nearly 11pm).

Day 26: Today I found myself calling 111. I had a pain in my side last night, I thought it might be constipation! That not being the case (!), today I went to 111.nhs.uk and, following their questions, it recommended I seek out a GP straightaway. Once I let the website know that is not possible, it directed me to visit walk in centres. I spoke with Karen thereafter - for advice about whether it’s a good idea to enter such an establishment - I really don’t want to increase me chances of catching the Covid-19 virus. Karen recommended ringing 111 since the website does not take into account my diabetes (so bloody sensible a suggestion!)

After ringing and answering many questions, the lady said she’d get an OOHS GP to call. The doctor called soon after and it seems most likely I have a grumbling appendix (chronic appendicitis) and to ring again (well, 999) if the pain becomes unbearable.

I now have a bag at the ready for hospital which I really hope I don’t have to use. Today, I  have, therefore, done fuck all - not even a walk - but I am having a beer now (midnight) and shall attempt to sleep as well as possible and hope this pain subsides naturally…

It occurs to me that I turn to Karen when things become flumoxing - my excuse, this time, is she works at the surgery but that was mere convenience.

Day 27: My ‘appendicitis pain was the same when I woke up (10:20) but no worse. I managed to change bed clothes and clean my bedroom but didn’t risk a walk (in case something drastic happens when I’m in a fucking field).

People’s responses and questions online have been heartening (Rachel Harris, Susie Grange, Bethan, Jo, Tracey Weber, Debbie De Prisco and, not least Dan). As the day progresses, I feel better but not right. I spoke with Dad about it and, as I told him, I shall ring Oundle GP tomorrow. Meanwhile, I did Sam Clew’s FB Live quiz, which was good, and am now having a beer or two.

Day 28: The pain in my side has definitley diminished. I called the Oundle surgery today to talk about what treatment I should have for ‘grumbling appendicitis’. The reseptionist organised a call back from a GP - Dr. Cash. Basically, he said he didn’t believe the condition existed, that acute appendicitis doesn’t happen after the age of 35, and ‘his gut felling’ is it will all just clear up.

I shall seek a more sensible diagnosis after lockdown and hope it doesn’t flare up again before then.

Day 29: I sent an email to the team at work today (Jim, Mark, Cristina and Sueanne). I hadn’t heard from them and I wanted to check in and, also, make a point that I will be posing the ‘rotational furlough’ question to HR at some point. It was as I wrote the email that I realised it’s only been two weeks and two days of furlough, and that includes Easter! Seems so much fucking longer. Anyway, everyone replied and it was good to hear from them….Mark came off his bike and broke ribs and collarbone! Lesson 5 of the Web Design course with Shaw Academy. It’s becoming apparent that, if you don’t pay for the course ‘toolkit’ it’s all rather patchy! The instructor dives into lines of code (HTML, CSS and Java) with no explanation….I feel like I did on the ifrst lesson of further maths ate Stamford School! I shall soldier on and beef up the missing parts with W3Schools (a great website and learning aid for coding). Two quick points. I am no longer running any part of my daily walk; hurts too much. I am addicted to Wordblitz and TikTok. Day30: I am writing this on day 31, I just forgot yesterday! It was a non eventful day. I did watch Midnight Run (again!) and had a couple of midweek beers though.