Monday 20th January 2020

Zulu: UMsombuluko 20 Januwari 2020

21:55hrs: Woke with only getting up and the urgent need for a wee-wee in mind. It was nothing short of a miracle that I there on time! I struggled free from the £300, second-hand, near-dilapidated, gungy-beige coloured, c1968, sometimes working, uncomfortable, rickety, rinky-dinked, rattling, rusty, resurrected, reconditioned, recalcitrant, recidivating and rotting-away recliner, hobbled to the wet room.

 I fumbled to find Little Inchy (it was cold this morning, so much so, I put the wall heater on in the wet room!), and spent a few minutes painfully releasing the long, drawn-out trickle! At last, it decided to stop! What’s going on here then? The entire wee-wee would have only filled a teacup if that! Yet, the sensation felt was one that things were going to burst forth like fireman’s hose. Ah, well!

Off to the kitchen, I limped, feeling out the ailments various moods as I hobbled along. Saccades-Sandra was not too bad at all. Arthur Itis, okay. Duodenal Donald, Reflux Roger, Hernia Henry and Shaking Shaun all on holiday, I think. Haha! Peripheral Neuropathy Pete was a little threatening, with the odd twinge and signs of wanting a Neuropathic Dance now and then… I had to stop my diagsasticalisationing here. Caused by a tiny involuntary escapage of wind from the rear-end, followed by an urgent need for the Porcelain Throne!

I scurried back to the wet-room! Not a smooth evacuation at all. Painfull, elongated and bloody! Willing enough, but resistant to stopping! Cor blimey, I get the feeling that it’s going to be a bit of a non-compos-mentis-like, confusing sort of Monday for me! I could be wrong, the EQ was not communicating with me yet. He could be on holiday with Arthur, Henry Roger and Shaun?

I got everything cleaned and medicated, checked out the legs. They had undoubtedly lost a lot of colour and were getting back to their usual ‘Am-I-alive’ thought-prompting paleness. One leg, the left, seemed even whiter than the right one? The lumps, blotches, blood papules etc. had dissipated somewhat? Still, it makes for a bit of interest, doesn’t it?

I made for the kitchen again. Arghh! I left the hot water tap running! The ‘Feel-a-right-pratt’ mode was instantaneously adopted! Yes, this could be one-of-those days! I took the medications, made a brew, and made for the computer to begin updating the Sunday post. A decent few photographicalisations to sort out and get on the diary, caused me to get it finished a lot later than average.

I made up a photo, to show how I must have looked after I somehow or other, got the wet dressing gown to fall on me off of the coat-hangar it was drying on! I used it in the Sunday blog, but I show it again. During which, the damned annoying ‘Hum’ grew louder, and various odd creaks, taps and clicks were heard, where from, Gawd knows? These things delayed me even further in finishing the blog.

I did get done finally. Posted some pictures to Pinterest and made a start on this post. I got up to here, and then went on the WordPress reader. Then onto the TFZer Facebook page.

Had to have a nibble and brew. I’ll have a hunt around, see worra can find…

A smoked haddock and cheese risotto thingy, some of the leaves and mini tomatoes and one-and-a-half buttered wholemeal cobs, how I came to find one-and-a-half cobs, well?

Off to do the ablutionisationing. A stand-up job, too early to use the shower, and I want to be ready, in case the maintenance plumber arrives. The dropsies count was opposite of yesterday’s, where Sunday had the least ever, today might have been the most ever! As far as I can recall, the flannel, shower-head and Sock-Glide were just about the only things that didn’t slip, jump or bounce from my grip! But no injuries, so nae bother. The medicationalisationing ent well, and the body-aromatising too.

I got the handwashing done. Then made the waste-bags and took them to the chute.

Made a brew, and got on the computer, to make some graphics up to use later. The plumber and mate arrived before I could start.

I had a wobbly as I opened the door, the plumber and his mate helped me keep on my feet. (Bit of good look there!)

Kindly after I mentioned and pointed out the slow filling WC tank, and blocked sink in the wetroom, he got me sat down. He got the sink taps working without any leaks, unblocked the hand-sink, and the WC now fills up quicker! Bless them! All in about 15 minutes, too! Came to me at the computer and told me what had been done. I thanked them, and he told me to stay in my seat, they’d find there way out. Caring chap, a rarity that needs emboldening in others.

After the farewells and they had gone, and my balance had returned, I went to have a look at the work they’d done for me.

I found this tap-part in the kitchen sink? Both taps were working well. The hot and cold water taps working with a little less pressure, which will help me not to splash myself so often. Hehe! Well, they came early and were quick at doing the repairs, and helped me out with the Shaking Shaun episode. So thank you both, much appreciated! ☺

I got ready for the trip into town to the Poundland store. Gathered the needs, then spent ages, checking and rechecking the flat for anything left undone, not done, lights, stove, windows, taps etc. repeatedly tested! Not for unacceptable Taboo Thoughts and Mental Rituals, though. My newly discovered OCD involves anxiety disorder and domestic concerns. (I think?)

So, having satisfied myself as much as is possible, that nothing had been left that is dangerous, and I had everything needed for the bus ride, I set off. With my yonderly tendencies, and athymia at a minimum, for once. Why I even found myself humming away in the lift going down! (Still no contact from the EQ – perhaps he’s deceased?)

I walked through the link-passage into Windwood Court, and there was Big Bill, doing a jigsaw puzzle. I had a natter, well, I spoke to him, and found a photo on the SD card of Sister Jane, supposedly putting the last piece in the giant jigsaw she was doing when I visited her last, to show him. The lack of interest was thunderous.

I said my farewells, wished him all the best, told him to take care, and went on to the bus shelter. A gang of Winwoodonians were in the Winchester Court foyer, Angela, Margaret, Doris amongst others. The ribaldry, put-downs, sarcasm and laughter flowed. Gawd, there are rare times like this that I love the place so much! And feeling rather upbeat now, I went out to the shelter, started to accept some well-intended light-hearted depreciative comments, when the City-bound bus arrived. Only one other unknown to me resident got on the bus with me, leaving a large gathering of Winwoodonian’s in the shelter, for me to wave to as the bus pulled off. The only response I saw, was a two-fingers sign, from Roy, but with a cheeky laugh with it! Hehehe!

I did well with the crosswording rechecking session en route to town. I even finished one of off, without any help! Number 83 in the book, the first one I’ve ever completed! I wanted to shout it out and brag a bit, Me! A first-time success! But there was no one the bus I knew! Hah-hah! Tsk!

I got off the bus at the terminus on Queen Street. Still feeling a bit high in spirits. (Yes, it worried me as well!)

The cold, low, intense, often blinding sunlight, in the dark morning promised some photographicalisationing problems for me. I took the first shot in town as I crossed over the Slab Square to Wheeler Gate and the Poundland shop. Where I had no difficulty in spending £13.75!

I amassed a selection of purchases that included, A packet of Tofiffees Naughty and stupid considering I have toothache coming on, Pillock!) Pork Farms mini pork pies, (Silly, with my weight problems!). A 75p kitchen roll. Banal fool! I must have about ten or more rolls at home! Sliced wholemeal rolls Fair enough, I needed these! Kelloggs Corn Flakes At least these will be eaten, they are a tiny size, handy for me). Dettol lavender antiseptic disinfectant. (to go with the six bottles I already have in stock!) Body spray (Huh, I must have ten or more in the flat! Idiot!) Fabric softener (Fair does, it’s cheap and smells super!) Some nibbles for the hand-out bag. A pack of six individual low-calorie pots of jelly. (Good thinking, if I can resist buying the Lemon Curd yoghourts) Finally, a BLT sarnie. (That can be had for today’s meal) So, how many things did the old codger buy that he needed, and the total of those not required? I’ll not go into that now. (Coy-abashed-Mode engaged!)

I paid at the self-serve tills. They were busy for a Monday, and the ‘Impatient stares’, Tut-tutting and grinding teeth from those behind me in the queue could be sensed, as I fumbled a bit.

A lady assistant came to me in the end and whipped the last things through for me. Out and had a walk on the Slab Square. This gathering flock of pigeons. I could not see any food on the ground around them, though? The white ones could hardly be identified with the sunshine glinting on the settled rainwater.

I caught so trams, at the bottom of Market Street as they passed each other, one on the way out and the other inbound. I observed as I stood a moment just watching the Nottinghamians, that there was little smiling!

I hobbled down and up Exchange Walk, and back up to the Slab Square. There were no street artists, Big Issue sellers or any of the terrible, so-called musicians damaging any ear-holes this morning. 

I walked through the Exchange Arcade through to Long Row, stopping for a moment’s reflection and take this photo of the sad shopping arcade.

Many years ago, most of these units were part of Burtons of Nottingham Food Stores. I remember them being very busy, classy and high-prices. These old photographs show how things were then. The first one, all Burton’s! The second was their famous Fish Counter, nothing you could not buy there, including octopus, shark and whale meat! The third one, (They stole my name? Hehe!) a typical window display on the Long Row side. Ryvita at 1/1d – 5p in new money. Nowadays it cost £1.25!

I got distracted there again, sorry about that.

I limped back to the Old Market Square, Long Row, and took this shot of the unsmiling Nottinghamians with their pretty pink and white… trainer shoes.

I made my way up Queen Street, showing the long shadows of the citizenry in this snap.

Up to the L9 bus stop. I was the only person to get on until we reached the Victoria Shopping centre, where the bus filled up, Margaret, Penny and Betty were amongst them. I greeted them as they got on, but they didn’t hear me. They sat too far away for a conversation, just as well, cause the three of them nattered happily between themselves all the way back to the flats. I had a go at the crossword book again, but not much success this time.

We were soon back at the flats, and I walked with Penny back through the link-passage to Woodthorpe Court, having a little chinwag en route.

I got in the flat and sorted out the purchases. Feeling tired already.

Got the meal planned, then I shifted the Morrison bananas from last week, from the cool spot to a warmer one. For they were still green!

I got some chips into the oven, the last of the Kentucky coated ones.

Then moved some things back into the cupboard under the sink. Got the plate laid out ready for the chips. And moved the hand-washed t-shirt onto the airer.

Then got the meal served up. The BLT Poundland sarnie and cut up a mini pork pie and added caramelised onion chutney, beetroots and some BBQ thingies on cocktail sticks.

Flavour rating: 6.5/10. I ate most of it this time.

I did the pot washing after the feasting. Then I settled to watch some TV. And didn’t fall asleep for over an hour, then bliss!