Friday 11th October 2019

Afrikaans: Vrydag 11 Oktober2019

03:40hrs: Woke feeling rough, but ready to go. The EQ told me I’d have a bit or even a lot of hassle, but the end result would be good!?!?

I pondered on things and how they were going, but no involuntary fear and worry brain-storming. The utter cock-up with the near ten o’clock visits from the plumber chap moments after I had fallen asleep last night. The hot water not being able to be repaired and a new boiler and thermostat being needed. No chance of having it done today, so then I have Sat, and Sun, and however long, how many more days, weeks it will take to order the parts, and they get delivered before I can even think of having hot water available again.

How long is that going to be? But there was a strange feeling of chimaricness, combined with an EQ created passiveness and acceptance of whatever happens, and an assurance that it will be a messy, disturbing and frustrating failed day, with many cock-ups, gaffes, screw-ups,  and faux pas involved to come! Yet, I calmly accepted this. Worrying in itself that!

Then today has to be coped with. Dare I go out, just in case there is some movement on the boiler front from Nottingham City Homes? Good job I ordered extra food in from Iceland for today, cause it looks like being the fifth day on the trot of self-imprisonment in the flat. Humph! Then, I’ve got the chap coming to see me from the Stroke Team, and of course, the Iceland delivery. I got myself in a mind-muddle, trying to sort things out in my defective, baffled brain.

Out of the second-hand near-dilapidated, gungy-beige coloured, c1968, sometimes working recliner, that Xyrophobia-suffering Brother-in-Law Pete damaged while stealing my valuables when I was in the Stroke hospital, and off for a Porcelain Throne and wee-wee session. The evacuation was a decent one, no bleeding, although a smidge messy.

The pins (legs) seemed far less mangled compared to yesterday morning. The feet looked almost human-like, too. The old ever-present ankle-ulcer scar appeared a little threatening, but this often happens, and it usually dies away again.

Even the Arthur Itis knees were suffering less this morning! A couple of visits from Dizzy Dennis was a little concerning, but at least they were short ones this time.

To the kitchen, boiled some water to wash the hands in the sink with, and made a mug of tea, then took the medications.

I turned on the computer, and…

I had to go through the palava of resetting the box, that failed. Turning off and back on, that failed. The rigmarole of turning off the Virgin box for a few minutes and then again on – and that did it. Even though Mr Fries attempts at driving me completely bonkers were partially successful, I got the pathetic overcharging Liberty-Global Virgin Internet back on. But it was slow, and hard work using it. Cheers, Fries!

I made a start on this blog, and then updated the Thursday post, after almost forgetting too. Fertummelt fool, I am!

Back to try the web, it was not so slow now. I may regret saying that! I got the graphics on for today, and it was time for the ablutions to be seen to.

The farcical, ridiculous ablutions! But at least I didn’t drop any hot water on the three trips to and from the kitchen this time. The dropsies were numerous; Toothbrush (2), Razor (2), Soap (6), flannel (2), shower-head (1), towel (2), shirt (1), body-spray can, and knocked over the stack of PP’s (Protection Pants).

Mercifully, I cunningly and sagaciously avoided the often blood-blisterisationing, and painful Sock-Glide-Scrimmage, by not wearing any socks!

I went on the WordPress reader. Turned off the computer, and had a try to tighten the handles on the new trolley-walker. But it wouldn’t have it, and I soon gave up trying. Although no guilt was attached this time, why I don’t know. Every day a  different mood. Which sometimes changes several times semidiurnal, or more.

08:45hrs, the intercom sounded, and I responded to the hallway. The Iceland order had arrived. I admitted the bloke and readied for his arrival.

He took the bags through to the kitchen for me. I thanked him, and he was off, like Roger Bannister. Hehe!

Note that I am newly prepared for any onslaught from Diahorrea Donald that might come again! Oh, yes! I took a closer look at the size (a bit narrower than others), and the quality of the tissue. They seem strong enough to me. Good value too!

I decided to go and try to catch Riechsfhreress and Catwalk Model Warden Deana, to keep her updated with the hot water situation.

I dropped off the black bags down the waste chute, returned and got the recycling box, which fitted well in between the bars of the old three-wheeler trolley, down in the lift, and dropped the carton off at the caretaker’s door.

I walked along through the link corridor to Winwood Court, taking a  picture of a bloke through the windows.

I met and chatting with Welsh William as I did so. We both got to the Warden’s Interrogation and Holding Cell office together. Handed out the nibbles, and although Deana was talking to William, she asked if I had anything important to say, as they both started to leave the room. I mentioned quickly that the fitter had called last night, and I need a new boiler and or thermostat. Off they went. 

I thought I’d take some photos of the big social room, but realised I had not taken the camera with me. Oh, dearie me! Back down and through to the main room, taking photographs from left to right:

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Back up to the flat again. As I limped along the link-corridor, it was almost eerie, being free of any humans, other than myself, of course. Hehe!

As I got to the Fire Escape doorway on the left, I had a nosy through the glass.

The bottom of the stairwell was there, and the external Fire-Escape door.

I was not impressed that someone had left a black bag close to the inner door, for someone in a panic to trip over. Also, there was an obstacle of some sort or other leaning up against the frame of the outer Fire-Escape door. Mmm! Prospectively Dangerous, that!

I made my way back up to the apartment and put the final touches to clearing the Iceland things away. The freezer is now so full, I fear the weight might cause things to fall through the floor. Haha!

Sorting out and putting away the goods, I came across the jar of Polish mushrooms; the one’s I could not open when I bought them last month! I decided it would be a good idea if I stabbed the lid and transferred the contents to a sealed container. So I did!

As I was putting away the mushroom in the fridge – well, making room to fit it in (Hahaha!) there, the door chime rang out! It was the Stroke Physio guy, I didn’t catch his name, a grand young man. He’d kindly brought two different types of walking sticks for me to try out, to see if any might help prevent any falls. He patiently waited and watched as I tried them both out. The one with a broader spread of ‘feet’ on it was not really suitable for this tiny flat. I tried the smaller-footed one (photograph). This was much better but needed some time for me to get used to it. The Gent will call be back in two weeks to see how things are with it. Not only that, but he set to and stiffened the wobbly handlebars on the new walker, for me! Much appreciated his help and understanding of my situation. He said he would have a word with Nottingham City Homes about my problem with the hot water, failed promises and the difficulties; the lack of hot water is causing me. Damned decent chap! Good looking, young, had hair, wasn’t bald and charismatic as well!

An hour later, around 12:00hrs, the door chime burst forth yet again. Popular today! Twas a Nottingham City Homes maintenance guy, who’d come to have a look at the hot water boiler. (The young Physio man, had made an excellent job of his phoning them, for me! Thank you, Sir!)

He made an initial inspection of the problem in hand. George his name was, very patient and efficient too! He fetched some tools and made an in-depth analysis of the situation. I can’t remember exactly what the problem was: but it needed a plumber to come, move the boiler around and replace something. When he has done that, George will return to get the hot water working again. I resisted getting too excited, knowing my record of cruel deplorably lousy luck! But, even the thought that there might be a good outcome had lowered my Anticipatory-Defcon-level by one! The dream, the possibility of being able to shave without risking my life and limb was born! However, I was wondering if the situation was a simulacrum, or real.

During the day, many letters and flyers were received:

1. A: Proof of my astounding value and worth. 1p interest earned in my savings accounts this year! Humph!
   
2. Free filum, Saturday Night & Sunday with details of how to get entangled in booking a seat.
3. Must be booked Boy Scout provided a meal for £3
4. Oh dear, how confusing indeed. Severn Trent, to tell us that a water leak is under the flats. They cannot find it? We must find it! Insurance might help pay for it, but only if we have taken out a Homeserve or British Gas policy. We must call a plumber!
5. If the leak has not been repaired in 14 days, ST (Severn Trent) will complete the repair themselves and recover the cost from those who are held (The tenants?) responsible!
   

I’m a bit worried again, now!

Just when maybe there were signs and indications of the hot-water fiasco, might be about to get solved. Another Gawd-forsaken, nervous-making, situation arises.

Surely we cannot be held responsible for water leaks? For gracious sakes!

The skies were leaking as well, now. Time is getting on fast now, no signs of the plumber yet. I’ve written that a few times this week, haven’t I?

Despite not having a meal yesterday, I am not feeling peckish at all, yet, anyway. But the tiredness is dawning again. This week’s other bugbear has been the lack of sleep, caused by lack of communication and the fibs given out by Nottingham City Homes for five days, telling me that a plumber would arrive every day, who didn’t! So I was having to stay awake for a ridiculous time, even 20 hours at a stretch, waiting for the non-arriving plumber. As I await one again, I hope it will not be the same today. I still dare not go out, to the laundry, or anything yet now. But hey, life was not meant to be easy. Not mine, anyhow! Grumph!

No plumber arrived yet. I wonder what it’s like outside in the fresh-air? It’s been so long since I had a hobble! The rains stopped now, but still looking a little bleak.

16:10: Hours, the plumber arrived. The job is too big to do. What needs doing will need a minimum of 4 hours, and the lad finishes his shift in two! He phoned someone at their HQ and told him what he thought of it. Said he’d been doing little fiddly jobs when he should have been sent here, then the situation would have been done, and George could have come back and connected things up, so I could have had hot water!

The plumber lad put in an urgent job request for Monday first thing!

So, the EQ was spot on again when it warned me this morning.

Mega-pissed-off. Fearing using kettle and saucepan for washing and shaving. In fear of an accident happening this weekend. (Not from the EQ, just a feeling) Had enough! Don’t know if I can cope with it anymore. Fed-up! Arsed-off!

Going to make some Dagwood sarnies, and try to get some sleep. Not that I expect to, I know I’m too uptight!

And then… Christ! What next!

Cobblers!