Monday 8th July 2019

Samoan: Aso Gafua 8th Iulai 2019

21:30hrs (Sunday). After falling asleep early, Even with my baryecoia, I was woken by something, a noise, or whatever, and sprang back into ersatz-life! As I lay there on the £300 second-hand, c1968, grotty-beige coloured, uncomfortable in the extreme, rusty, rickety recliner, I pondered. I have to get ready for Jenny’s visit in the morning. She has offered to help me this coming morning. To sort out the airing cupboard for the electricians to come and make another mess, servicing the air intake system to the wet room. Bless her, she is so kind to us all. So I decided, as I was well behind on the blogging, to get up and sort the computerisationing requirements ASAP.

I rose gingerly and took the two paces to the hardly used EGPWWB (Emergency Grey Plastic Wee-Wee Bucket). The shock of SHLNSWW (Sharp-Hosepipe-Like-No-Sensation-Wee-wee) caught me off-guard, and I had to do some cleaning and sanitisationing, splashbacks, after the unexpectedly fierce, yet sensitiveless, wee-wee was done. Oy Gevalt!

I got the medications taken and did the health checks. The readings all looked good this morning, I think. SYS 146, DIA 59, Pulse 91, and the Temperature was 35.1°f.

As you might have guessed by the state of the picture on the right-hand side, the hands and fingers were doing some  Peripheral Neuralgia inspired dancing and shaking. They were at it on and off all day, yet never for very long, thankfully.

I took a snap of the sky, from the fearsome light and View-blocking, with glass one, can’t reach to clean, and the step-ladder is needed to see anything down below over the wide ledge, kitchen window. A beautiful evening!

Made a brew, and took it into the utility room with me, and with great assiduity, I began to create some graphics for the blog page top.

No calls to the Porcelain Throne yet, this was out of the usual for me.

Having got the graphics nearly done. I set about making the template for the diary.

With a dogged conscientiousness, I began to update the Sunday post.

Then, I got that feeling of, what can I call it? Thinking I had not done or done something wrong, left taps (faucets) running, windows open, cooker on, etc. Best described perhaps as, one of my nervous-panic-sessions. I just had to go and check things. The wet room and kitchen both looked okay. But a lingering feeling inspired by the EQ perhaps, would not go away, I felt uncomfortable of mind. What a wanwit, I am!

I made a mug of tea. I’d put the milk in and was stirring it, and the right hand and fingers kicked-off with the jumping and I splashed hot tea on my bare, bulging stomach. That made me jump a bit! The humming and whistling-like noises started again. There was no way of locating where they were coming from, but still, they seemed to surround me? I just hope it is not the fabric of the building creaking! Many other tenants have said they can also hear this noise. I’m worried about myself now! Haha! Moments later, the wind like sound started, almost like a generator in the background? Might be the crumbling concrete of the building? Well, at least if the place does fall down, reading this record might help them to understand why? Or not, of course.

I finished off the diary updating, and, with great assiduity, I finished creating the graphics for the blog page top.

Still, no summoning to the Porcelain Throne arrived yet? Oh, dear!

I’ll ask Jenny if she would like the DVD I bought a while ago. Some oldie actors in it, but I was not impressed with the storyline, acting or the script. I bet she will know someone who might like it. With Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Michael Gambon, Charlie Cox, and Ray Winstone being in the cast, I expected something better and less crude. It seemed to me that they were not enjoying making the film at all. Certainly not a classy or original movie at all.

I made another mug of tea to replace the one that had gone cold (again). As I made a start on this post. The burning of the back of the hand yesterday, has left some almost bluish-purple scars for me to view. Hehehe! 

With my not going out yesterday, I noticed that I had also not done my ablutions correctly, and was undoubtedly over-chaetophorous. So I must take extra care later when shaving! Odds are, a nick or cut will cause some bleeding. And with the INR still being high, care is due!

I went for a wee-wee in the wet room, now back to the UWTWW (Unwilling-Weak-Trickling-Wee-Wee) variety. I noticed how obrumpent my stomach was, and I was surprised at how it had bloated overnight. I dare not go on the scales!

Got the ablutions done early, to give me time to get the place tidied a bit before Jenny and the INR Nurse arrive.

No shower, of course, too early. I took extreme care in shaving, it took a long time, but was a bloodless exercise! Hehe! 

A hell of a job afterwards, the sink took over ten minutes for the water to flow away. I used the last of the drain unblocker. Tsk! This is getting expensive!

As I was pulling the sock-glider fitted bamboo socks on, I noticed that the leg ulcer on the ankle can’t seem to make its mind up, whether to come back or not? Tsk! It keeps looking like it will return, and the next day, it doesn’t?

The pins were still looking more warped than they have of late. The right leg is definitely a lot thinner than the left one is.

But the left limb is the one that has acquired a new super-bruise. Tsk!

Arthur Itis is visiting them both, well, the knees!

I set to sorting the black bags to take down to the caretaker’s door. It’s still too early to use the waste chute, yet. I carried them down, dropped them at the door, and returned back up to the flat.

 I thought I would remove some bits from the old defunct, out-of-commission airing cupboard. Those that would not require any reaching, stretching, or bending to get at, I feel a bit guilty, with Jenny having to come and help me. Humph!

Oh heck! I pulled gently at some kitchen towels, and a ton of things came tumbling out and down onto me and the floor! I felt a right nincompoop! I dare not leave the stuff on the floor, for fear of the leg doing any of its shaking and stamping. I used the picker-upper stick and moved most of the things. All I could do was stick it in the rubbish room (Steptoe’s front room) Haha!

Then I had so much more stuff, I filled another two black bags. I got the camera with me and nipped down to the caretakers’ room again.

I noticed the end bit of newly laid lawn, had some patches seemingly coming on well, and others dying a death! So, I took this photograph of the sad scene, outside the apartments foyer door, near the extra car parking. Humph!

As I re-entered the foyer, I spotted some clothes, well jeans and a jumper had been thrown in the waste bin. I wondered what if any, was the story behind this?

Back up in the elevator, and made a brew of Glengettie tasty tea. The shaking in the leg was terrible for a few minutes, and the involuntary Okey-Cokey performance was not welcomed! But, it only lasted for a short while this time. The hands were shaking as I used the walking stick.

Then I had to go for a wee-wee. Naturally with Jenny, bless her, coming to see me, I do not want the grey bucket in view. And, of course, there is my catagelophobia. Yet another mode of wee-wee, this time. An LHBLWW (Long Hosepipe-Blasting like Wee-Wee). Variety is the spice of life they say. I don’t know who said it, but someone did, I’m sure.

As I began today’s blogging, the door chimes ran out Dusty Springfield’s tune, “I only want to be with you”. Jenny had called to sort out the cupboard for me. We had a lovely chinwag while she did it. Very organised, Jenny had brought some carrier bags with her. She told me off for moving the stuff that had fallen out of the airing cupboard when I grabbed the kitchen towels. (Told off in the most helpful, most beautiful possible way, I almost enjoyed it!) I explained that I dare not leave them on the floor, in case the leg started stomping and stamping, then I’d have myself over again. Jenny soon had the job done for me. I waffled on a bit about things, and she was very patient with me. I wanted to give her a thank-you kiss but was not brave enough, so I just thanked her copiously and profusely. BPAFM (Beyond-Pathetic-and-Feeble-Minded-Mode engaged)

Timing-wise, I’d missed the chance of catching the 09:30hrs bus to town, so I did some catching up on this blog, and went to find the 10:30hrs L9 bus to City Hospital. Then the 40 bus to town for a photographicalisationing session. Then the L9 back to the flats. That’s the plan, anyway!

I got ready, no rain forecast so left the umbrella, got the three-wheeler-guide, bus pass and card, and set out to the bus stop at the other end of Chestnut Drive. That is outside Winwood and Winchester Courts, this leaving we Woodthorponean tenants with the pleasure of a little extra exercise each bus trip. How kind of them! Hehehe!

There were many tenants at and around the bus stop, in spirits ranging from delirious, sullen, miserable, friendly, and NIWID mode ‘No-Idea-What-I’m-Doing.

Moments later, the INR Nurse and Angel appeared, and my heart sank, and I tried to make myself look as small as possible! I was so embarrassed at forgetting about her calling, and was red-faced and nervous when she spoke to me! She was amazingly calm, after going to the flat to find me not in, and said she would call in the morning AGAIN! Her cunningly vocalisation of the word ‘Again’ was of a fashion that drove home, I can tell you; it will remain with me forever! USMA (Shame Mode Adopted!) I inwardly vowed to try and not make cock-ups anymore again! (But as you will read later, this prayed come desire did not mature. Oy-Vey!)

I had a few slightly nervous mini-chinwags while waiting for the L9. On the bus to town, I was unsettled, feeling awkward, ashamed and disconcerted at my forgetfull failings. I stewed over them in my mind for a while and decided there was no hope of any improvements in this area. There is none physically either, and I was soon in the depths of depression. Arriving in town, without any memory of the actual bus journey.

Getting off of the bus, amidst a crowd of other folks, and it dawned on me. I should have caught the other bus, and I had missed the City Hospital appointment now! I had a hellish job fighting off the wickedly demoralising dysphoria, and self-hatred had crept in the scenario. I fought to get some equanimity back; but had to settle and accept, that a ‘crestfallenness’ was with me to stay. I tried to ignore my failings. I wrote a note to remind myself to call the Stroke Unit number as soon as I get home, to apologise and cringe to them. They said in the letter, if I fail to turn up, they will refer me back to my GP. The last thing I wanted. Dr Vindla does not understand the mental problems involved. But, I only have myself to blame. It’s always the same (life), just when something cheery that goes right (Jenny helping and seeing her again), unbelievably joyous, or a minimal success or victory happens, is when things go tits-up. Usually of my own making. Aka today!

I had a walk around the city centre, but my spirits were not good. On Parliament Street, I took a couple of pictures. Taking the second one, as I turned, I noticed some new, to me anyway, Graffiti and Street Art.

There are CCTV cameras all over the place in Nottingham City Centre. I just hoped that they would identify the scumballs responsible for this appalling anti-socialness!

The street art near the shelters didn’t help me to cheer up either!

Being in the mood I was, low! (my own fault, I know) I started to dream of the punishment I would meter out, if I were in power, of some sort of autocracy, where liberality, mercy, and tolerance were frowned upon! My options for the ignorant graffitier’s and pavement cyclists are best not mentioned. A few of my chosen in mind punishments were anatomically impossible anyway! Hehe!

I pulled myself round as best, to take an interest in what I was doing as I could, and had a walk around the city, taking photographs en route to the Poundland store on Lister Gate. Note that on two of the photographicalisation, I caught a Nottinghamian smiling! Also the giant blow-up man?

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I got the Poundland Store, where my spirits were temporarily lifted when I found they had some Prok Farms Pies in stock. Bootiful! Being in the self-reproachment mood I was, is my excuse for buying so much stuff today. I came out with; Two Pork Farm pies, another drain unblocker, four nibbles, Lemon slice cakes, Twiglets, orange smarties, mini Kit-Kats, penguin nibbles, jelly babies, and stilton cheddars. Paid at the self-serve tills. £14 worth! Only some were for myself mind, the Pies, Twiflets, jelly-babes, orange Kit-Kats and the lemon cakes. Ahem!

A slow walk back to the L9 bus stop on Queen Street, afterwards. Being in the mood I was, I ignored many photo opportunities of the Nottinghamian Pavement Cyclists. Boy was I on a downer!

I took a zoomed-in photo on my way up Queen Street, of the recently opened, ‘The CutFather Turkish Barbers’ on Upper Parliament Street. As last week, there were no customers in the shop. I must have a look at the prices next visit to the town. There has to be a reason for his lack of trade – apart from the fact that I walked by six barber shops on my little hobble today from the bus stop into the Slab Square area!

I took a snap along the street, that shows a collection of buses. I think it might appeal to my beloved American TFZers. (I hope)

Got on the bus. I tried to have a talk with a regular traveller gal, but we were both hard of hearing and the look of the incredulity of her expression, made me give up trying to natter with her.

Back at the flats in no time, it seemed. I had been stewing in deep unhealthy thoughts en route, I think.

When I had got off the bus and exchanged ‘hello’s’ with other tenants waiting to get on the bus, I noticed the poor old new lawn. So as I hobbled along Chestnut Grove, I took some pictures of sad scenes.

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I didn’t see a soul in the flats as I got in and up the lift but felt in a slightly easier frame of mind (Fool, I should have known better!) as I got in the apartment.

I found a note had been put through the door, from the INR nurse. Saying ‘Please contact your GP to re-arrange another visit!’ At first, my heart sank… then on reading it correctly and carefully, I saw the time on it was 10:20hrs, Phew! She had left it before she saw me at the bus stop earlier. So, the precious nurse will still be calling in the morning to see me.

This reminded me that I had to call the Stroke Team at the City Hospital to grovel and explain things about my missing the appointment. I could not find the letter, so I went on the computer, as I was sure I had put the number on the Google calendar. I found it eventually, only to discover: It was for in August! Another Whoopsideangleplop! I’m getting fed up with myself!

Then I remembered I had not put the Pork Pies, or anything else, away yet! So, I got one pie in the fridge, put the other stuff away and cut up the other pie onto a plate for the meal. Only some part-baked cobs to cook for ten minutes in the oven. Sliced and onion-salted some small tomatoes, opened and drained a can of peas, some Marmite cheese medallions added, and a pot of lemon mousse for afters. Buttered the cobs, and dug into the meal. Flavour rating of 6/10, the cobs, not being sourdough, was so bland, I might as well have had cardboard! Tsk! I ate it all, though! (Pig!)

I had a rinse, stayed stripped off and the expected weariness, with me getting up early as well, as expected came over me. I got in the recliner and put a DVD to watch.

I soon drifted off into a deep sleep. Unfortunately, not deep enough for me to ignore the door chimes. I struggled painfully out of the chair, got some clothes on, got the stick, and made my way to the door. But no one was there, by that time!

Back in the seat, and in no time, I was back in the land of nod!

Zzzz!