Thu 160120 Cleared most of front door/Skillsuccess Lifetime membership/Signed on/Front door night latch went on, accidentally; had to break in.

1 PM DECIDED TO CLEAR SOME OF THE MESS AWAY FROM THE FRONT DOOR

I decided 'late night'...when it's most quiet...to clear the mess away from the front door.

I used...

- A old person's walker 

- A 2 wheel 'metal' skeleton trolley

...to move mostly wood/also, plant pots away. 

I took all of these down to the public tip on Casewick Road. 

-(NOTE: There still remains an awful lot of mess that needs clearing: wood/leaves/-etc.; then, I'll need to clear out the back garden; as well as, inside of the house.)-

1:30 PM SIGNED ON STREATHAM JOB CENTRE

I went to sign on at Streatham Job Centre. As usual, I got there 'late'...; with no working  bike...I was 'forced' to walk/run; not being fit...therefore, my journey was rather slow.

When I arrived, however, Richard signed me on with no problem; didn't even bother doing a job search check.

Told me I need to sign on, again, on the 300120 at 10:50 AM with the same Richard.

1:30 PM JOINED SKILLSUCCESS LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP $299.00

I decided to take out a lifetime subscription membership to join SkillSuccess costing: $299.00...

https://www.skillsuccess.com

In addition to which I also paid around $29.00 for 9 handbooks.

When I signed in to skillsuccess; I noted that my Lifetime membership had been confirmed; also, they sent me an email stating that my monthly membership had been cancelled.

2 PM RETURNED BACK HOME/FRONT DOOR WOULDN'T  OPEN/HAVE TO BREAK IN

Much to my surprise when I came back home...; I discovered that although I had opened up both the top/bottom locks; still the front door wouldn't open. 

My only thought was maybe the night latch had accidentally been put on.

I then went off down the road to ask random people for advice on what to do, next; including Centre 70/B & Q DIY shop/and, also, a Tulse Hill hardware shop. 

Most people said -including Centre 70- that you should call a lock smith; but, they might ask you to pay them for a call out. 

Of course, I was totally broke; all I had inside of my pocket was my 'sign on' card; and, my keys; that's it! So, asking me to go pay any call out fees up front was impossible.

What was really weird about contacting Centre 70...was they found me an emergency locksmith number to call; but, said they would not call it themselves? But, I had no mobile phone on me.

I walked into B & Q; and, explained the situation...the guy listened patiently; and, said you have to hit the door with your shoulder...until the lock breaks.

Some people recommended I go see the Locksmith located at Tulse Hill...he was a short thin Chinese man; and, seemed to get extremely irritable...telling me I must shut the door properly behind me; then, when I explained to him what the situation was; he just said, no, he can't help! 

Eventually, I decided to return back home...; before the Tulse Hill hardware shop guys called; they said they would call at 6 PM. 

I decided rather than pay them...just try hitting it with my shoulder. I hit it hard 2/3/4 times...and, still the door wouldn't open...but, it did move a bit. Finally, I decided to kick it...near the top part...where the faulty lock is...; and, sure enough the door burst open. To me, it appeared that the night latch chain wasn't actually on; but, instead, the night latch switch was on...which is what made the door lock.

4:30 PM CANCELLED TULSE HILL 'HARDWARE' SHOP PEOPLE CALLING

By this time it was around 4:30 PM; and, I decided to quickly go back down the road to tell the Tulse Hill hardware people not to come. 

I got down to the shop...having taken bus...this was a mistake as the traffic jam was really long. Nevertheless, I did make it down to the Tulse Hill hardware shop; and, told them it's ok...I'd 'forced' my way in; so, they needn't bother to come, anymore; they acknowledged the message.

5 PM BROUGHT CREAM CAKE FROM CAKE SHOP

I felt like celebrating...so, I went and brought a slice of cream cake from the cake shop near the bus stop in Tulse Hill...the cost was around £2.90. I paid using debit card.

6 PM LIL SULLIVAN MESSAGE/SHE'S ILL SO TODAY'S CLASS IS CANCELLED

I received an answer machine message from art teacher Lil Sullivan; saying she seems to have caught a cold/flu...and, therefore, won't be teaching today at Ackerman Medical Health Centre.

CONCLUSION

Been a very strange sort of day. I'm beginning to appreciate how tough life can be living all on your own; there are certain things that you just can't fix all by yourself...and, therefore, will need to seek out external help and support.

-(NOTE: I'm deeply aware that I still have Beckett House to clear out/move.)-

Sun 120120 Brought £9.99 Super Pizza 18 inch/Brought 1 Year Avast Premium covering multiple devices

12:00 AWOKE

Thinking to myself...

- buy Super Pizza 18 inches for £10 (the only task I actually did)

- buy some food to go put in the fridge: 5 x Mango Juice/Bread/Plantain/-etc.

- go and visit Tate Modern (my unlimited Bus & Tram pass runs out in 7 days time; I've already used up around 2 days worth)

1 PM BROUGHT £9.00 SUPER PIZZA NO. 28

I went out and brought myself a pizza from West Norwood branch of Super Pizza.

I did not go back out, again; just stayed in.

10 PM BROUGHT 1 YEAR AVAST PREMIUM ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE COVERING UP TO 4 DEVICES FOR £25.xx

Because my PC was running extremely slow I was tempted to go and buy 1 year of Avast Premium Anti-Virus software covering up to 4 different devices.

Sat 110120 Sharon phoned/Received old FujiFilm camera: S602Z from off eBay

My cousin Sharon left me answer machine message asking am I going over there to visit today or not(as we had previously discussed, yesterday)?

2 PM PHONED SHARON

I phoned her back to say, yes, I'm coming.

She said, don't be in a hurry...you can come between 5 to 6 PM...thus, giving me time to get other things done, if necessary; to which I agreed.

(LATEST UPDATE: I did NOT visit Sharon; instead, I fell asleep; and, only awoke around 10:30 PM! I phoned her to explain; said she's going out tomorrow; so, the trip was cancelled.)

2:30 PM RECEIVED AN OLD CAMERA FROM OFF EBAY/UNFORTUNATELY, MY BATTERIES AIN'T WORKING

I brought an old FujiFilm camera from off eBay...the price was just £14.00 + £3.xx P&P.

Unfortunately, when I tried sticking in 4 x AA type batteries in there...; it just didn't work; the camera would come on...; then, almost immediately turn itself off, again.

I need to try testing it using some 'newer' batteries, instead.

LATEST UPDATE: The next day, Sunday, I found some new camera batteries...4 x AA; and, inserted these, successfully...; only to discover that the memory I brought is not the right type. Will need to buy a different type entirely; it uses Compact II Flash type of memory stick.

NOTE: I also brought another S602Z on Sunday; this time it comes with memory stick, already. I believe the cost was around £30.00.

Fri 100120 Went National Portrait Gallery/Clapham North, ordered 2 x Indian take aways/Stockwell, Beckett House

-(These events are recollected from yesterday.)

12:00 NOON WENT TO EAMMAEUS CHARITY SHOP TO HAND OVER SOME OF MY MUM'S OLD CLOTHES

I decided to give away some of my mum's old clothes to Emmaeus charity shop. They were very thankful for it.

- Jumpers
- Dresses
- Scarf

(NOTE: The rest of the dirty clothes/or, torn clothes...I dumped into a recycle bin...opposite West Norwood Cemetary gates.)

1 PM VISITED MY MUM/AUNT'S GRAVE

I decided to go and visit both my mum/and, aunt's grave. Said the usual prayers:

2 x Our Father's
3 x Hail Mary's

...then, I prayed they do both rest in peace; alongside my other deceased family members.

I also spoke about that I'm sorry my mum had not listened to me more...to go and see the doctors/hospital earlier...; then, she might still be alive; but, unfortunately, that was her deliberate choice.  I'm sorry, but, I didn't wish to 'force' her to go...totally against her own will. The only reason she ended up there was because she wasn't eating/drinking, properly...just vomiting it all up; so, I felt I really had no other choice but to call the doctors in...but, it was too little/too late...they couldn't do anything by then to reverse the dire circumstances.

I said one more prayer...wishing them both RIP, Amen; then, left.

6:30 PM NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY - FREE DRAWING SESSION

I took a number 2 bus...to Victoria...(I think, the bus broke down); switched bus to take a number 11, I think, going to Liverpoool Street; that same bus took me all the way over to NPG.

I took part in the FREE drawing session only for half an hour or so...because I had arrived 'late'...mainly due to serious traffic jam in West Norwood....traffic moving at a snails pace.

WALKED THROUGH LEICESTER SQUARE/SOHO

After NPG had closed...I decide to take a walk through Soho; and, get familiar with my previous haunts; as well as, see/discover what's 'new'. Not an awful lot has changed.

STREATHAM/CLAPHAM NORTH, INDIAN TAKE AWAY

Eventually, I ended up going along Oxford Street...right up until the end; then, I switched to taking a number 137 bus to Streatham. 

From Streatham I took another bus down to Clapham North tube station...where I brought myself 2 x take away foods.

1> Lamb Curry £6.00 

2> Lamb Masala £6.00 (ordered this one, later on, when I'd already gone and eaten the first)

WENT BECKETT HOUSE 

I sat down inside of Beckett House, and, there ate the Lamb Curry. However, I found myself still hungry for more; so, I hopped on a bus to Clapham North, again; returning back to the same Indian take away...to buy curry of a different flavour.

-(NOTE: As I was standing up at the bus stop going to collect my 2nd curry of the evening; police stopped a black coloured Porsche car...containing a black driver...; they wanted to test him to see if he is a drunk driver.)-

Returned back to Beckett House on the bus; eat the 2nd curry I'd ordered.

TRYING TO DECIDE WHICH CONTENTS TO MOVE FROM BECKETT HOUSE/AND, ALSO, HOW...USE CAR/OR, BUS? 

Then, I decided to look through what contents need to be moved from Beckett House.

I filled up 3 bags with a mixture of stuff...mostly stuffed cushions/a few clothes/and, other items: glass ash tray/small wooden looking glass/-etc. 

RETURNED HOME 'LATE': EARLY MORNING SATURDAY

Next, I took a 133 bus to Brixton; from Brixton I got another bus to Streatham; from Streatham I took a 147 to St Julian's School; from there I walked home. The time I arrived home was around 1:30 AM next morning Saturday.

(I was meant to return back to Stockwell to go and collect some more goods; however, I just felt far too tired/lazy...so, instead, I went off to bed.)  

Thu 090120 Brought Super Pizza: 18 inches/2nd hand furniture from Emmaeus charity shop

(These events are a past recollection.)

SUPER PIZZA

I went out...to go and buy some Pizza from the SuperPizza shop around the corner of Ernest Avenue that sell's 18 inch pizza for £10.00. I brought one...number 29 (forgot exactly what flavour; but, it was hot + chicken).

BROUGHT TWO 2ND HAND CABINETS

As the pizza takes anything between 10-20 minutes to make...I decided to go off to the nearby Emmaeus charity shop; where I ordered 2 items...

1 x Cabinet £10
2 x Cabinet/glass front £40

They said they would deliver the items next Wednesday 150120 between 8-12 noon.

Wed 080120 Missed Clapham Beginners Kettlebell class; eat rest of pizza/Phoned Sharon/Millicent phoned

STAYED IN/SLEPT/WATCHED TV

I mostly stayed inside of the home; and, either watched TV/or else, slept all day.

7 PM AWOKE/TOO LATE TO ATTEND CLAPHAM KETTLEBELL CLASS IN TIME

When I awoke, I was surprised to find that the time was 7:08 PM; which meant that I had already missed my introductory Beginner's Kettlebell class at Clapham. -(I might have to pay a fine for not having cancelled, sooner.)-

I still had some of the 18 inch pizza I had brought, yesterday, still left to eat...3 large slices; which I heated up, and, eat.

8 AM SPOKE TO MY COUSIN SHARON ABOUT HAVING LEFT MY MOBILE PHONE AT HER HOUSE

I spoke to my cousin Sharon about having left my mobile phone at her home; and, stating that I would hope to go and collect it during tomorrow early morning.

10 PM MILLICENT GAVE ME A PHONE CALL

My cousin, Millicent, gave me a phone call. We basically spoke about how the day of the funeral went; and, also, chatted about having to move stuff from Beckett House in Stockwell back to my home in West Norwood.

We ended the call...because it was getting late...and, she has to go to work in the morning; says she has to leave 7 AM...in order to beat rush hour traffic; with the intention of arriving at work before 9 AM.

Tue 070120 Visited Southwark Cathedral/Tate Modern/Blackfriars Tube home to Tulse Hill/Bus/£10 18 inch pizza

TRAIN FROM KINGSWOOD TO LONDON BRIDGE
I had come back from visiting my cousin, Sharon's, house.

I took the train...from Kingswood; and, ended up at London Bridge...(must have missed the last stop for some reason).

Anyway, after finding myself at London Bridge...I decided why not go and visit seeing Tate Modern; which is located very near.

SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL

First, I went and visited Southwark Cathedral. I spoke the the priest...who allowed me to light a candle; and, say a prayer for my deceased mum.

Next, I requested him to mention my mum during church mass; -(because she had requested the mention of my late aunt Charlotte)-; and, I would leave a donation.

TATE MODERN

Eventually, I walked towards Tate Modern -which is located at the side of Blackfriars tube station-; and, stayed inside there for all the rest of the day...up until when closing time came.

I brought...

- 25 x postcards...going for 10p each; which, normally, sells for 85p each. (Quite honestly, I should have brought more.)

- 3 coloured pencils (double sided)

- 1 x £2.00 A4 sized drawing book

RETURNED HOME BY TUBE

I decided to go to Blackfriars tube station in order to return back home. I was advised to go to Platform 1...to take a train back to Tulse Hill.

In the end, though...I actually took a train to Peckham Rye station...and, then, from there returned back home to Tulse Hill.

From Tulse Hill...I took a 322 bus to Anerley...getting off at Earnest Avenue bus stop; then, brought myself an 18 inch sized Pepperoni/Cheese/Tomatoe/Green Peppers...for just £10.00.

-(NOTE:  A very peculiar incident happened as I was walking half way up my road...and, had reached the red postbox; I saw a tall slim white youth coming from across the raod...who was looking at me and behaving really rather strangely; staring at me aggressively...as if he wanted to mug someone. For a moment there, I was sure we would both fight...; however, I tried my best to ignore him completely; eventually, nothing bad actually happened; maybe, he went and changed his mind about attacking me...I don't know.)-

Fri 030120 Mum's Funeral Service at West Norwood Cemetary

11 AM WENT TO VISIT YEATMAN'S FUNERAL DIRECTOR'S

At 11 AM I decided to go and pay a visit to Yeatman's the funeral directors who are located opposite West Norwood Cemetary gates.

I wanted to discuss if there was anything which I had forgotten; and, that had been left out; which needed doing, now.

They said... 

- there are no forms to sign

- the flowers are already delivered

- and, the guy Bobby had already called (spoke to my cousin, Sharon)

- etc.

11:15 AM WENT AND VISITED SEEING THE GRAVE

I wanted to go and witness seeing the grave...in order to make sure the two trees had been completely removed...before they were 40 foot long; then, later on, had been reduced to becoming 2 x 6 foot stumps.

I discovered that the 2 x tree stumps...which were there only 2 days ago...had been totally removed; and, a driverless JCB digger truck was left nearby. The grave itself had already been dug; and, also, the headstone had been removed.

11:30 AM PAID £200.00 MONEY TO ALLEN'S HEAD PUB, ROB

I paid £200.00 to Rob -(a TimeBank charity trustee board member)-; he said he was in the process of preparing a receipt; but, it would take around 15 minutes long; and, I decided to not bother to wait any further...as people were due to arrive at the home at around 12:00 midday.

I did ask him to just put his name/and, the money paid on the back of some simple note, however.

11:45 AM I PAID £20.00 TO WEST NORWOOD BARBER SHOP

I paid the sum of £20.00 to a West Norwood barber shop...in order to get both my hair cut...short back/and, sides; and, also, my beard trimmed down.

I came away feeling really pleased with the end result; which made me look a lot smarter than I did before(which was rather shaggy).

The guy, originally, charged me £25.00; then, decided to refund back a £5.00 note...; I forgot exactly why; but, that generous gesture also left me feeling really pleased. 

12:00 MIDDAY I ARRIVED BACK AT THE HOME...STILL NO VISITORS, YET

I decided to get out of my normal clothes; and, instead, get dressed into funeral garb.

- Black trousers (the first pair I tried on couldn't fit; so, I tried a next...luckily, it worked)

- White shirt

- Black tie

- Black blazer

- Black trousers

- Black socks

- Black shoes

-(NOTE: The black blazer/white shirt/black tie/black shoes...were all brought just yesterday evening inside of two separate shops in Streatham...somewhere between 5 PM-6 PM.

The shoes were brought, separately; and, the rest of the clothes were all brought inside of one same shop.

I cannot recall what was the exact price; but, I spent around £80+ for the clothes/and, £20+ for the shoes.)-

12:30 PM FAMILY VISITORS STARTED TO ARRIVE

The family started to arrive at the home somewhere around 12:30 upwards.

- Millicent/Trevor/Chris/Phyllis

- Sharon/Oliver (Geoff/and, Charlotte...seem to have arrived, later on whilst we were at the Chapel)

- June/Neville/Anne/Krish/Emma/Isobel...arrived separately at the Chapel.

- Philip/Winifred/Floyd (arrived, later on, at the chapel)

1:30 PM THE FUNERAL CAR ARRIVED

At 1:30 PM the funeral car arrived...I shut up the house...and, we all left...some in their separate cars; and, a few in the limo. The limo contained the coffin with a coffin spray of flowers on top.

I went inside of the limo...so was my cousin, Sharon/Oliver; (and, I forgot who else?!)

As we went off down the road...we could see my cousins: June/Anne/walking up the road, obviously, going to meet us at the house; however, realising we had already left...they walked back down the road towards the Chapel, instead.

2 PM WEST NORWOOD CEMETARY CHAPEL

Outside the Chapel...Bobby, -a big brown Jamaican guy/also, the driver of the limo- helped us to conduct the funeral procession.

Funeral bearers were selected...I remember I was one/can't remember who exactly were the rest...and, he told us how to lift the coffin, carefully...and, then, walk towards...and, inside of the church...where it would be placed on the Alter.

The organist played music...; and, also, we saw/met the priest...-(we should have met him before; however, never found enough time)-...and, English guy; he did an ok job.

Basically, the Chapel service was to last 30 minutes long...with 5 minute slots being given to... 

- entry music (organist)

- prayer

- speech (myself/I improvised)

- hymn (The Lords prayer)

- speech (Floyd/he made up his own)

- hymn (All things bright and beautiful)

- speech (Sharon/she wrote hers down on paper)

- exit music (organist)

 My speech which I made went...

-  I thank my mum for having brought me up really well...to know right from wrong...and, also, for encouraging me to stay on the straight and narrow...as I've never been to prison, yet; because I didn't wish to cause either my aunt/or, mum any distress having to go visit me being in prison all over the country.

- Although we are not rich...and, don't have the Queen for my mum...I don't want the Queen; instead, I just want my own mum. (To which everybody laughed.)

Finally, the body was taken down from off the Chapel Alter...by the funeral director people...and, taken off towards the grave; which is where we all walked(some might have used car, instead).

2:30 PM GRAVESIDE BURIAL

As had previously been arranged...the Catholic priest...lead the prayers...

- Our Father

- Hail Mary

...and, it was basically left simple as that. We did chat to him a little bit; but, really not a lot...; obviously, it was a bit of a difficult emotional time...and, so tough speaking to a total complete stranger.

One of the things I tried doing before they placed the coffin into the ground...was to tie a white Catholic Rosary -(ordered from eBay the day before; it arrived the following morning)- to one of the coffin handles. A funeral guy told me...that's not a very good placement...and, so, I let him untie it from the handle...and, instead, place the Rosary on top of the coffin.

-(I should have put the Rosary around my mum's neck before she was buried; however, the last day to do that was, yesterday; and, unfortunately, I was not on time.)-

Eventually, the coffin was lowered into the ground. I do not remember having to lift a spade and place dirt on top of it(optional, I was told)...instead, I let the funeral officials do the rest of the work themselves.

We waited until the whole of the burial ground had been filled up with dirt...and, then, we placed our flowers/and, tribute cards/-etc.

My flowers said, Mum...placed at the foot of the grave; and, the coffin spray, I think, went in the middle/or, top...I forgot? Together with other flowers.

3 PM THE WAKE AT ALLEN'S HEAD PUB

Finally, we went to 'The Wake' being held at Allen's Head's pub. It was held inside of a private sectioned off space at the back; and, there was enough seats/food for everyone...in fact, there was actually too much food. (Ultimately, we had to borrow some Tupperware...in order to take the food back home with us.)

I had to improvise giving 3 speeches...

- Thank everyone for coming.

- Thanks, again...(I can't remember what I said)

- Thanks to my cousin, Sharon; for helping me out...I couldn't have done it without her.

Anyway, all was informal and relaxed...and, there were no problems.

4 PM - 5 PM WE FINISHED EATING/DRINKING - EVERYBODY HEADED OFF HOME

When all of the eating/drinking was done...many people couldn't eat/drink no more...we all headed off home.

It was decided between myself and my cousin Sharon...that I would go to their house to stay for the night(I think, I actually stayed there 2 nights).

I didn't go in Sharon's car; but, instead, I went in Anne and Krish's car.

Before we went to Sharon's house...

I went back to my home...to feed the cat/then, let her out.

And, also, got dressed into my more normal everyday clothes.

Then, we stopped at June's home...; and, eventually, we arrived at Sharon's; which is when June and Krish returned back to Devon where they live.

CONCLUSION

All the time, I had been really very worried that the day might turn out bad...; as there was the potential for anything and everything to go wrong; but, thank goodness, not a lot went wrong...in fact, nothing; the day went pretty much as planned just perfectly.

Yeatman's are a very good Funeral Director service...mind you one did have to hand over money to the tune of £6,125.00(coffin/limo/organist/priest/chapel); not including the additional extra costs of flowers/clothes/20 x Order Of Service sheets to be printed out/-etc.