Monday 19th August 2019

Hawaiian: Pōʻalua 19 ʻAukake 2019

23:30hrs. I shot awake, nearly falling off of the chair! I haven’t the foggiest idea why or what caused this to happen. Was it a noise? Had I been dreaming a nightmare? Most annoying that I cannot recall any nocturnal hallucinations this time. Was I, or had I suffered one of my Brain-Storms? I just had to get up to have an investigation into what had instigated this semi-panic, the reason. Which in itself brought a bit of interest and even amusement to me.

I got up quickly enough, caught my balance without any bother, and kicked the flamming GPWWB (Grey-Plastic-Wee-Wee-Bucket) over! My heart sank, and my temper bourgeoned! I was so angry with myself! But, the need to find out what had caused my rude-awaking was more critical at that time. I stood the bucket back up, and in the semi-darkness, I stepped over where I assumed the contents had landed and spread…

And I trod unexpectedly, on a slipper, and slid forward landing on my left knee! The struggle getting back up was almost as absurd, too! Unthinkingly I grabbed hold of the swivel-chair to pull myself upright – and, as the chair, well, swivelled, I ended up back on the floor! Spreadeagled on my back, I was sure I must be lying in the spilt out contents of the bucket. But no! It seems that the GPWWB had not been utilised all night! Genuine laughter was had! Partly encouraged, by my good luck in the bucket not being used, something that does not happen usually! A feeling came to me that things were not so bad, after all. Hehehe! 

After putting myself in recovery-mode, I had a walk around to check on things. I put the hearing aids in, and I could hear definite susurruses, humming sort of noise in the hallway. Not that it would have been the cause of the disturbed awakening, though. But I could not trace the origin of it. Nor did I locate any other reason. Tsk!

With my newly aching knee and back, I hobbled to the kitchen. Stopping, for a wee-wee en route. Back to the SGSS (Short-Gently-Sprinkling-Spraying) type.

I put the kettle on, and then took a photographicalisation of the pins, that were looking good. No bruising on the knee as far as I could see, either. Although it seemed a little more warped again this morning.

Made the brew, and took the medications. Leaving out the Senna and Movicol until after I have had a visit to the Porcelain Throne later, and can work out if there will be any need, for them to be used. It’s sod’s law nowadays, the evacuation may be liquified or rock-solid, there doesn’t seem to be any in-between options lately! I took a picture out of the thick-framed, multi-paned new window, with glass that cannot be reached to be cleaned.

I took the brew with me to the computer and checked to make sure that no liquids were on the carpet. All dry, Phew! But, oh dear, signs of nocturnal nibbling were rife! An empty cheesy curl packet, a couple of sherbert sweets on the recliner, and some suspicious-looking, but unidentifiable crumbs on the tray on the Ottoman! Guilty-Mode-Rubber-Stamped!

I decided to try and take some intentionally taken eerie views of the flat, before it got light. If they come out alright, I might use them as a Thoughts background later.

I got on with updating the Sunday blog. It took such a long time. Thanks to guess-who?

I got it all done and sent off eventually. (Thank you very much indeed Mr [Not fit for purpose], but multi-millionaire Fries!)

I’m tired already, Hehehe! But have to get more templates done in advance. As tomorrow I have two appointments. 07:30hrs, INR and Kidney blood tests. Then I must catch a bus to the City Hospital for the estimated 1>1½ hour, After-Stroke Assessment with Doctor S K Raghunathan and his team. So, I will have no time to get much else done. Busy-busy!

Got the page top graphics and Thoughts done, and made a start on this blog.

With time running short, I got the ablutions tended to. Only one dropsy this morning, the toothbrush. Although, there were many close shaves with the razors.

Got the waste bags readied, and took them with me on the way out, to drop down the chute. Took the recycling jars out and in the bin on the front, and came back in to walk through the new passage to the Winwood Court site. Time for me to pop out to have a sit on the benches outside through a door in the passageway, and have a go at the crossword puzzles, I thought, but no! The green exit button might be on a timer, but it would not work and open the door for me. Mary was going through as well, and I joined her for a natter on the way to the Winwood Courts. Plenty of Woodthorpe Residents in their, Angela and Roy, Mary, Doris and Christine, and Pete joined us. We made our way out through the Winchester Court door and to the bus stop. Quiet a gang amassed, and I managed to hear a little of their gossiping. Much laughter flowed, as well.

Had an entirely failed go the crossword book en route! Arriving in town, and walked down Queen Street to the most untidy and messy looking slab square.

I took a shot of the Red’s True Barbecue window on the way down the hill. Very South Americanish layout inside. Bare wood furniture, dust and dirt in view, the place seemed to be on different levels and all fiddly. Actually, I liked what I saw. But, it would not be possible for me to treat myself, as access would be impossible. Shame, but at least it’ll save me money. Hehehe!

I was hobbling well, no Arthur Itis, no Anne Gyna and no Duodenal Donald bothering me at all. I felt a little lonely. Haha! Through the square and got to the Poundland store on Wheeler Gate. The Nottingham populace seems to be split between those in high spirits and others looking mightily-depressed and gloomy this morning.

The shopping therapy in the shop ensured I kept up this new-found, erm… what’s the word? Semi-contentment, growing from within. And me feeling this, is rare and bloodcurdlingly nerve-racking, almost traumatic! The EQ told me something was coming my way, that was going to be good news! For me, a professional shlimazel and euphobia sufferer, the reception was mixed.

However, I was so proud of myself, when I arrived at the fridge and resisted getting any Pork Farms pork pies that were there, tempting me as they lay innocently, but appetisingly temping on the shelves! (Actually, I did put one in the basket, but returned it as I fought back the tears!) I ended up getting two ready-made sarnies, some Twiglets, waste bags, bleach, Poptastic crisps, Dettol and a bag of salted chocolate pretzels.

I paid at the self-serve till. Put the light stuff in a carrier and hung it on the three-wheeler, the rest in the pathetically tiny shop-bag on the trolley, and set out on m way to photograph some parts of Nottingham City Centre not done before, along with some spot ones.

I started with a picture of St Peter’s Church in the distance and Wheeler Gate. The sun was coming out and then disappearing, odd sort of weather.

I took a view up Exchange Walk towards the slab square. Not many folks about.

I did a 180° turnaround and took a photographicalisation upwards of St Peter’s tower and clock. Being a shaded area, it did not come out too well, but a smidge moody I thought?

After taking the shot, I went a bit giddy for a few seconds, but it didn’t last long. Tsk!

I then walked up St Peter’s Gate, then had a hobble up through the newishly refurbished Flying Horse shopping arcade. Many of the posh shops, art galleries etc. were now closed-down. It was a depressing, sad limp through this so-called high-class arcade. The first empty unit, gone out of business, shop as I entered, was for rent, asking £42,000 per annum! Then there will be rates, electricity etc. poor devils!

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The Arcade looked nice and clean. Then again, not many people walked on it! This would have done better in Chelsea or somewhere like that, a death knell, in Nottingham for the traders!

The alterable weather made me think it was going to rain, but it didn’t. The Nottinghamians were still in short supply.

On Cheapside, another closed down store. There were many more, of course. I searched Google to see if I could find the rent being demanded. Wait for it… £75,000 per annum! I make that £1,442 per week! No wonder the retailers are going bankrupt! The end is nigh!

I then did a bit of photographing from the back of the Council House, on High Street and long Row.

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I limped up Queen Street and took a shot of Upper Parliament Street, then hobbled back down to the L9 bus stop. No residents got on the bus en route at all!

Soon back at the flats, and I was feeling pretty good for some reason. Mary dropped off the other bus, and we walked back together to Woofthorpe Court. We tried the swipe of door to the seats outside, but it was still not responding to the fob. Mary and I had a natter, got into the lift, Mary off on the first floor, farewells exchanged, and I went up to the twelfth, and into the flat. I knocked on Josie’s door, but no answer.

Knowing that no one was due to call, I had a wash and stripped off. (Good job there are no CCTV in the flat, Hehe!) As I was getting the nosh prepared, the Intercom sprang into life. Luckily I saw it light up, as I was in the hallway at the time. It was Charlene, the beautiful phlebotomy nurse. I was so surprised, with the Sherringham Surgery appointment for blood tests in the morning!

I got the dressing gown on quickly, and Charene came up, and I told her about the appointments. She said she had been told to take extra blood for testing today. She could see I was a little baffled and kindly rang the surgery, to advise them and get advice for me. So, there is no need for my visiting them in the morning at all! Nice of them to inform me! Humph!

I thanked the nurse, and off she flew, like an angel! When she had gone. I realised what the EQ message (something was coming my way, that was going to be good news), I got in the Poundland shop was all about! Now I will some time to do today’s blog finishing, before going to the City Hospital appointment. Great!

I stripped off again and finished preparing the nosh.

I managed to eat a little less tonight. Well, I think I did? All cold stuff. Ready-made sarnies from the Poundland Shop, some of the Extra Strong Red Fox cheese from Morrisons; that is actually bland and almost tasteless! The last two mini pork pies and apple slices, beetroot and a few of the tangy Poptastic crisps.

I washed the pots etcetera, and got the hand-washing done, but forgot to do the socks. Tsk!

Got snuggled down in the £300 second-hand, grotty beige-coloured, c1968, rusty, rickety, recliner to watch a Rumpole of the Bailey on TV… Zzzz!