Adventures Beyond the Wheelie Bins

Well, just a week-and-a-half left to go and all this “merriment” will be over. Although, to be honest, I’ve not been feeling the effects of mass cultural hysteria this year, mainly due to me becoming a full-blown shut in. I’m even steering clear of my classic Christmas hits playlist until, maybe, the Christmas Eve. We shall see. I’m looking forward to New Year’s Eve, as I always do, as I find a fresh start always welcome. I’m wondering which film series to watch as a marathon this year. Saying that, the original cast Star Trek movies are fast becoming a tradition for me.

Speaking of movies, I dug out the Ray Harryhausen films I have on DVD to watch. I started with Clash of the Titans and Jason and the Argonauts, but then stopped when I realised The Golden Voyage of Sinbad is actually the second of a trilogy. I’m not sure what possessed me to buy that one and not the others. Maybe I just searched for the top three Harryhausen movies and that’s what the internet came up with. So, yeah, my mini-marathon stopped abruptly so I could source the entire Sinbad mythos. Any and all Harryhausen boxsets are a little pricey, but the individual Sinbad Blu-rays are fine. I might order those on Monday. But, yeah, Clash and Jason were lots of fun. I was very happy to sea Sian Philips in there, as she’s one of my all-time favourite people. Still going, too. You go, girl!

My mood has lifted somewhat since my last post. I really felt like I’d hit rock bottom over the weekend. I’ve given myself the opportunity to drink today, but I’m actually enjoying sobriety this week. Just for this week. I might get some booze in for the weekend. You know, just to make this intolerable time of year pass quicker.

I know I sound like a grump, but you don’t learn to hate Christmas until you’re single and living by yourself on a council estate in South Yorkshire.

When you’re a kid, Christmas is great. So get your fill. But rust me, young person, it’s all downhill once life gets real.

I did say my mood had improved, right? Well, I still do have my moments!

I actually asked a complete stranger if they were alright today. I was at the bus stop coming back from my appointment with the nurse and this other public transport patron kept pacing back and forth and looking around nervously. He said he was just shy and not used to being outside. I told him that I understood as I had the same problem, which seemed to relax him. Hmm, I’m sure this all sounds like the start to a porno, but nothing happened.

Yet.

The rest of my trip out to the nurse went ok, although she did want more blood from me. Sigh. I’d just about completed that blood pressure log at last, which she seemed fine with. Apparently I was meant to be taken two blood pressure tablets a day since I last saw her/them, but they never confirmed that to me. Oh well, I’ve started doing it now. Maybe it’ll make me less short-tempered, which is something that’s started recently. I think it’s tied in with my depression. If something annoying happens, my brain is all like “Really, this as well?!”. I don’t like having childish temper tantrums. It just doesn’t feel like me. It’s really more my middle brother’s sort of thing.

That old school friend is still texting me. I thought I’d scared him off for a while there, but he seems to be back. Goodwill with friends and family usually only lasts so long when you have mental health issues, then they all start phasing you out. Hence my life now. People just don’t like shit that’s too complicated.

Just watch prime time television.

Some young men were knocking on one of the doors downstairs yesterday. They waited a while, then one of them said: “I think we’re a bit early”, then they left. Early for what? I’m guessing either drugs or a prostitute. Alas, why can’t multiple young men come knocking on my door?! Life sucks, did I mention that?

I’ve started using the grill in my new cooker, which is fun. I never used the last one, as it was actually inside the main oven compartment, so I assumed the grill heads would get encrusted with grimy oven condensation fast. This new one’s separate. So, yeah, give me ideas for things to grill, and I’ll grill them! I may even post a picture of the results too.

You don’t get that on prime time television, folks!

I actually went to the post office earlier to draw out £20 in £2 coins, which was pretty balls-to-the-walls exciting. Not going out much these days means I don’t get change from taxi drivers to tip takeaway delivery dudes with, so I thought I’d plan ahead. I haven’t been getting that many takeaways in lately anyway, but I wanted to be prepared. I’ve also got a couple of notes for my big Christmas tip… but who will get it?!

The suspense!

Oh I’ve actually started listening to some history audiobooks again, which I’m pleased about. I was sad when that phase passed. This audiobook is a lecture on Ancient Greece. I have listened to a few things on the subject before, but it never really interests me (especially when they get into the hardcore political stuff). This professor is very sweet and engaging though, and even sounds exactly like film director James Cameron. In fact, he sounds so much like him that I was going to look into whether “James Cameron” was just his Hollywood pseudonym. Wouldn’t that be awesome?

Check it: History of Ancient Greece

Well, I think that’s all for now. I might go have a lie down for a bit and ponder the great questions of the universe. Or just have a massive wank. Both are good.

Do stay in touch, darlings.

Toodles!