Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in Northamption, Surrey, East & West and South London (The NEXT Chapter).

Week 220 Saturday 1^st until Friday 7^th September 2018.

If you have read this shiz before you will know that I get up for work well before sparrow fart, in other words really early.  The reason for this is because London’s wonderful public transport system occasionally stop’s me from reaching my destination on time.  I am up so early that the fat cat which sits at the bottom of my friend’s garden under the bird feeder all day waiting for a free meal, hasn’t even opened its heavy lidded eyes.

 “Thanks SAZ for the jumper”.

Last week I felt that I was unraveling and as a result approached a boss; this could have backfired but went better than expected.  I now start an hour later; ok I don’t get a morning break and only have 30 min for lunch.  But this allows extra time in bed, time that could be spent watching a show or listening to a podcast or doing grubby things on my own!  Actually all I do is sleep, honest I just sleep!

 “For caption, see the pic”.

As Newton third law states, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”.  Here are a list of Pros and Cons regarding my new schedule.

 “I really want this jacket, Love Pinhead”.

Cons.

1/ The trains are much busier.  Most days I don’t get a seat until 20 mins into the journey.  I stand in the corner juggling bags and tablet while bingeing on episode after episode of adult fantasy.

 “That’s all i see these day, London is full of cranes”.

2/ The schools are back!  Yes, this week millions of sprogs are travelling to school in packs, crowding together all staring at their small illuminated devices while ignoring each other.  It would be nice when a seat becomes available if the kids would give an old lady struggling with bags and a tablet a seat.  Does that sound desperate enough?

  “About to call the register”.

3/ There is a constant worry that the trains are going to screwed up, a signal problem or a train malfunction could happen at any time.  Constantly running in my subconscious is a countdown telling me how long I have until I am shackled to my desk for 8 hrs.  It is a real first world worry.

 “If only i could find the X, that was on the treasure map”.

Pros.

1/ I get to spend an hour and a half extra in BED!  Nuff said!

This trail is for a month, fingers crossed it works and continues for as long as I am employed. However between you and me I am actively looking for work closer to home.

 “I’ll have seconds, please”.

And Now For Something Completely Different……

 “Have not been in Northampton in years”.

Last weekend I spent just over 24hrs in the countryside with my Mum and sister.  As I passed Newport Pagnell services on the M1 two memorable events happened.  1/ passed a Stobart vehicle named Vera.  And 2/ my olfactory system alerted me to fact that I had reached the countryside!  Yes I am talking about the smell of cow shIz!

  “My talented sister and Oliver.  That’s the Banjo, not me!”.
 
Highlights of my short trip include.  A visit to Northampton and a meal beside the Grand Union Canal which mum and Helen.  Also watching TV with mum; we really are a family of telly addicts.  Reality TV is not something I am interested in, but mum has been watching a Channel 5 show “Celebs On The Farm” so I sat down and watched with her.  It’s a show featuring a group of Z listers (in my opinion) dicking about on a farm.  To my horror I not only enjoyed but wanted to see more.

  “A lovely family on the canal”.

The programme got me thinking about farms.  When I visit mum I usually go on a walk (this visit was far too short) past a couple of farms, I always try from the roadside to see if I can spot animals from gates or between bushes and when I do it always makes my day.  It’s a fact that being near animals is relaxing.  Maybe that’s what I need, visit or volunteer at a farm.  Then there’s the smell, is it strange that I quite like the smell of cow shiz.  Maybe that’s how I could make my squillions, bottle the sweet smell of manure and take it to the “Dragons’ Den”.  Surely one sniff is enough to relax the most uptight Dragon or office worker.  Though thinking about it might be difficult to use in public.  That’s another money making idea flushed away.

 “Cheers!”.

Thank you to Mum and Helen for a lovely time.
 
And Finally……

 “So lovely to see my cuz again”.

This week I also met up with my cousin Jacqueline who I haven’t seen in about 30 years.  She is in the UK with her lovely hubby Ricky before they go on a coach trip around Europe.  We only had a couple of hours together, this was spent catching up and generally being shocked that so much time has passed.  I really enjoyed my time in there company, and hope that we meet again much sooner.

  “With the lovely Ricky”.

I really wish them both a wonderful tour around Europe, and a safe journey home to OZ.  I also want to thank Ricky’s Uncle Anton who welcomed me into his home.  And, yes Ricky I will be eating the String Hoppers with my fingers!

 “And Uncle Anton”.

“Pointless” Possible Celeb spotting of the week……
 
Think I saw Alexander Armstrong at the train station near work.

  “My view once at London Bridge station at night”.

My Mid Life Crisis Conts……

 “Writing this shiz, but slightly distracted by Tuppence”.

This week I have mainly been watching:  

“Big Star’s Little Star”, (S5, ep 6, TX: 01/09/18).  “Celebs On The Farm”, (S1, ep 1, TX: 20/08/18)(ep 2, TX: 21/08/18)(ep 3, TX: 22/08/18)(ep 4, TX: 23/08/18)(ep 5, TX: 24/08/18)(ep 6, TX: 27/08/18)(ep 7, TX: 28/08/18).  “Click”, (TX: 01/09/18).  “Doctor Who”, (S3/S29, ep 2 & ep 3).  “Fireman Sam”, (S6, ep 8).  “Friends”, (S7, ep 1 to ep 10).  “Ghost Stories”, (2017).  “Hannah Gadsby: Nanette”, (TX: 19/06/18).  “Krypton”, (S1, ep 3).  “Living Differently”, (S4, ep 1, TX: 04/09/18).  “Made By Machine: When AI Met The Archives”, (TX: 05/09/18).  “Ozark”, (S2, ep 6).  “Sense8”, (S1, ep 1 to ep 3).  “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country”, (1991).  “The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice”, (S2 (S5), ep 1, TX: 01/09/18).  “The Great British Bake Off”, (S2 (S9), ep 2, TX: 05/09/18).  “The Joy Of AI”, (TX: 04/09/18).  “The Horizon Guide To AI”, (TX: 04/09/18).  “The Plague”, (S1, ep 1 & ep 2).  “Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures”, (S22, ep 5).  “Upstart Crow”, (S1, ep 2).  “Van Helsing”, (S1, ep 7 to ep 13). 

This week I have mainly been listening to:  

“BBFC”, (ep 72, 29/08/17)(ep 73, 21/09/17)(ep 85, 06/08/18).  “Brian Gittens And Friends”, (ep 43, 05/09/18).  “Griefcast”, (ep 25, 28/02/18)(ep 49, 05/09/18).  “Iain Lee (Bonus)”, (30/08, 05/09/18).  “Iain Lee (Highlights)”, (30/08, 31/08, 03/09, 04/09, 05/09, 07/09/18).  “In Poor Taste”, (ep 47, 04/08/16)(ep 48, 17/08/16).  “LBC Podcast: Mystery Hour”, (0609/18).  “LBC Podcast: Nick Abbot (Whole Show)”, (01/09, 07/09/18).   “Quick Question”, (S2, ep 7 (ep 21), 03/09/18).  “Skeptiod”, (ep 639, 04/09/18).  “Strange Times”, (ep 274, 24/08/18)(ep 275, 31/08/18)(ep276, 02/09/18).  “The Angelos And Barry Podcast”, (04/09/18).  “True Crime Finland”, (ep 29, 07/09/18).  “Morrissey”, “R.E.M”, “Manic Street Preachers”, “Inxs”, “The White Stripes”, “Belly”.