Thu 100823 20:29 PM GMT Visited the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square
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Table of contents:-
-> 10:00 AM Awoke...with severe neck pain...two days all in a row
-> 10:30 PM Fed the cat...completely ran out of all cat food/decided to give the cat some sardines in a tin...(one of 2 tins left...meant to feed myself)
-> 11:00 AM Cooked rice...forgetting about my morning Job centre appointment
-> 12:06 PM Streatham Job Centre, arrived there 'late'...the sign on guy about to take his lunch break
-> 13:00 PM Savings 'fast' running out...had to withdraw another £50.00...to pay bills/£350.00 previous balance...now, says just £300.00 left.
-> 14:00 Returned back home...paid PraGroup a final £30.00 online...; thus, cleared off paying what was the 'original' £1,500.00+ Barclaycard Mastercard bill in full.
-> 4:30 PM St Thomas Hospital 'Physiotherapy' appointment...arrived there just in time...3 minutes early.
-> 17:00 PM Visited the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square
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-> 10:00 AM Awoke...with severe neck pain...two days all in a row
I awoke to severe neck pain, yet, again; -two days in a row, now-; thus, making getting out of bed really 'painful and slow'.
I got to find a way to 'rest/sleep' properly...so, that my neck doesn't keep on hurting. I think, it comes from the following...
1> The pillow I'm using is far too soft.
2> The wall near the bed head is really 'cold'/as is the metal bedhead itself...so, I don't get any sort of relief from placing my head there.
3> The house itself is 'cold/damp/wet'...leaking roofs everywhere...and, I had to turn off the 'central heating', totally...as I cannot afford to pay British Gas...£600.00 bill per quarter...?!
4> I have to 'turn/twist' in order to watch the TV...which is situated off to the side of the bed.
Things are not quite as simple as placing the TV at the foot of the bed...; because the ceiling -at the bottom of the bed- leaks whenever it rains...and, I don't want the TV electrics to get wet...which would 'destroy' the TV(I cannot afford to buy a next TV)!
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-> 10:30 PM Fed the cat...completely ran out of all cat food/decided to give the cat some sardines in a tin...(one of 2 tins left...meant to feed myself)
Unfortunately, all of the dry cat food pellets is nearly done...; so the box is almost empty of any contents. Nevertheless, I gave the cat some of the few cat pellets that was left.
Normally, I would give her pouch food (meat/fish) in the morning; but, all of the pouch food is completely gone...?!
So, instead, there were 2 tins of sardines...which I actually brought to eat myself...with some bread.
I decided to give the cat 1 tin of sardines during the morning...as, otherwise, she keeps on 'begging' me to go feed her...; which makes me feel really guilty and ashamed.
In a single tin of sardines...there is 3 fish...; normally, what I would do is...eat 2 fish myself...and, give the cat 1 fish to go and eat, raw. However, this time...because there was no cat food pouches left...I switched it...and, gave the cat 2 sardine fishes to eat, raw...whilst I eat one of the sardines myself.
The sardines come coated in 'red tomato sauce'...which I drained into a plate...so, the cat could go lick it all up...which she did do with great enjoyment.
When the cat had finished eating, I let her out to go run inside of the back garden, as is usual.
I placed the one sardine fish that was left over...into a frying pan...and, cooked it/heated it up...adding on top both table salt/table pepper.
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-> 11:00 AM Cooked rice...forgetting about my morning Job centre appointment
I was feeling really hungry...so, I decided to throw into a cooking pan 2 cups of white rice...carefully, washing it 3 times...in warm water/then, finally, poured on some cold...just enough to cover the rice by 1 cm...turned on the electric twin hub cooker...and, left the rice to 'slowly' cook there.
- added 1 x tin of corn (the last tin)
- added 1 x tin of green peas
- added 1 x tin of chick peas (2019/out of date...I smelled it...and, it smelled ok)
- diced up half a white onion/and, too, half a red onion
- diced up a 1 tomato
...sprinkled everything with salt
...added 1 tablespoon full of butter.
Then, when I looked up at the time...as I was waiting for the pot of food to cook, properly. I realised that my job center appointment was 11:40 AM...and, the time on the wall clock showed that it was, right now, 11:40 AM on the dot...therefore, I was already 'late'....?! So, I stopped cooking; and, just turned off the pot...I can properly cook it, later on.
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-> 12:06 PM Streatham Job Centre, arrived there 'late'...the sign on guy about to take his lunch break
I arrived at Streatham Job Centre for a 11:40 AM appointment...at 12:06 PM, instead. So, the 'sign on' guy was about to take his lunch break at 12:00 midday.
I had some difficulty getting over there...
first, absent mindedly and in a total hurry, I found I'd taken the 'wrong' route...; so, after walking/running down the road for some way...I had to run all the way back up the hill, again...in order to cross over the street at the top...then, keep on moving along...for around 1 mile.
When I reached the job centre I was sweating whole buckets.../and, my legs were completely gone, almost.
Anyway, the 'sign on' guy knows me really well...; and, so, he knows I'm on my way...by both 'walking/running' over there.
He let me 'sign on' late...; and, promised me everything was going to go through ok. 'You should get paid in 3 days time'...meaning, by next Tuesday.
I sincerely apologised to him for being so slow...; and, then, very quickly left...so, that he can go to have his lunch.
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-> 13:00 PM Savings 'fast' running out...had to withdraw another £50.00...to pay bills/£350.00 previous balance...now, says just £300.00 left.
I had to go and withdraw another £50.00 from out of my £350.00 balance...; thus, leaving me with just £300.00 in savings left.
I have to pay a PraGroup Barclaycard Mastercard loan bill...£30.00 left still to pay off/and, also, the Water Rate. If I can't pay the Water Rate in full...; then, at least, I could contribute something by making a 'part' payment towards it. The outstanding Water Rate bill is around £79.xx.
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-> 14:00 Returned back home...paid PraGroup a final £30.00 online...; thus, cleared off paying what was the 'original' £1,500.00+ Barclaycard Mastercard bill in full.
At the start of the month...I had to pay PraGroup £210.00; but, due to my making regular payments...; -(ignoring buying my favourite 'chicken n chips' at £10.00 per time/combining taking out my other savings/-etc)-; and, making further sacrifices here and there...; I was able to reduce that bill down to say just £30.00 left to pay.
When I returned back home from Streatham I paid Pra Group, £30.00; thus, leaving me with a nil balance to pay.
I truly cannot say just how good it feels to have, finally, paid off...what was an original' bill of £1,500.00+...due to Barclaycard Mastercard...which took me years/if not decades long to clear...!
Now, I still have left to pay 3 lots of £5.00 which is £15.00 monthly...to other creditors.
£500.00 CashPlus loan due (£25.00 monthly)
3 for £5.00 monthly payment agreement...
£3,500.00 Barclaycard VISA due
£350.00 NCOEurope (I forgot exactly which 'credit card' needing paying there)
...and, there's another one, I seem to have forgotten the name...?
Then, I got on top of it all, a further...
£2,000.00 Nat West overdaft loan
So, in all I currently owe creditors somewhere around: £7,000.00..; and, I only got £300.00 in savings left; this makes me completely 'bankrupt', I'm afraid!
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-> 4:30 PM St Thomas Hospital 'Physiotherapy' appointment...arrived there just in time...3 minutes early.
As usual, I get to all my appointments really 'late'. (ADD/Attention Deficit Disorder...constant 'distractions'...?!)
I realized I had an important Physiotherapy appointment to make at St Thomas Hospital...at either 4 PM/or, 4:30 PM..and, I really couldn't remember which...as I just couldn't find where was the 'latest' appointment letter...?! Though, I did find a 'last' appointment letter...which I could use to identify me at reception.
I eat some rice somewhere around 3 PM.
Nearing 4 PM I rushed off down the road...; in a 'mad dash' to get down to the bus stop...all because I know I'm going to get there 'late'. When I did arrive at the bus stop...after running all the way straight down to the bottom of the road. I realised I had forgotten to take my 'bus pass' along with me...?! Thus, I had to rush all the way back up to the top of the hill...to go and collect it at home...inside of my top coat pocket; then, rush back down to the bottom of the hill, again.
I climbed up onto a number 196 bus...; which went from West Norwood to Brixton. At Brixton, I got off the bus...and, switched to taking tube train, instead. The tube took me to Green Park station...where I switched to the Jubilee line tube...taking me off to Waterloo.
When I got out of Waterloo station...I felt totally 'disoriented'...as I couldn't see St Thomas hospital being anywhere near...after carefully watching the skyline all around...? I had to ask questions...as I knew the hospital is not too far away from Waterloo station. When I got answers...I had to do some more walking/running.
Eventually, I saw St Thomas Hospital up ahead...near the London Eye tourist attraction...; I passed by the London Eye...and, then, went over and across Westminister Bridge road...the hospital is located on the other side of this road.
Walking/running into the hospital...I had to stop to ask questions...as to where is the 'Physiotherapy' department. They told me Lambeth Wing/3rd floor...; so, I took the lift going straight upwards. Coming out the lift...not too sure which way to turn...left/right...? Asked some further questions...turned right...found the Physiothearapy department sign.
When I arrived at the receptionist desk...I asked the nurse, anxiously...have I missed my appointment or not...as I really couldn't remember if it was 4 PM/or, 4:30 PM...the current time said 3 minutes before 4:30? -(I had already missed the previous appointment/and, they said if I missed a next...they would, immediately, 'discharge' me...; and, all this after having to wait a whole entire year to get to be seen by them. The bike accident happened on 6th Aug 2022/and, the hospital appointment was 10th Aug 2023.)-
The nurse assured me that I was 3 minutes early. So, she registered my name as being there...and, just told me to sit down and wait to be called. I waited for, at least, 20 minutes...; then, returned back to the receptionist nurse...asking is the consultant here/or, not...? Or, how much longer do I have to wait...after patiently waiting 20 minutes long. She said she would chase it up...; when she returned back to me...; she said the consultant was there.
Eventually, a Muslim looking sort of guy...short/slim...came up to the reception area and called my name. I replied back...yes, it's me. He took me off to a curtained off hospital area inside the ward.
He explained that he had sent me some exercises to do through an email; did I get it...? I told him, yes, I had seen the email...and, signed in to the web site...; but, I was afraid to do any arm exercises in case things might get worse...instead, I wanted to see an actual consultant, face to face, first; so, they could tell me what exercise is best to do/or, not.
He asked me to do a few 'push/pull' exercises...to test how well my left arm is working. Push/pull his arm up/down/sideways.
Anyway, his final conclusion was...I was ok...the arm had pretty much healed...with just a few niggles here and there. He said, so long as I approach doing exercises, slowly...; then, gradually, things should improve.
He also said he would make another appointment in 8 weeks time; and, he would email me some further exercises to do.
I just left it there...thanked him/too, the receptionist for their help/support...and, then, left Taking a plastic cup of water to drink before I left that floor.
Went back down in the lift...; then, walked back out into the street/sunshine, again.
(It was a sunny day, thanks be to Dear God. I don't need to worry about the house roof, constantly, leaking...; and, having to place down buckets...to go catch up all of the rain water.)
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-> 17:00 PM Visited the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square
The famous Westminister 'clock tower' called, Big Ben...which I could see straight up ahead of me...on the other side of the Westminister Bridge...is located just opposite Trafalgar Square...and, at Trafalgar Square...there is The National Gallery. So, I really couldn't resist getting on a bus...to go and take a 'quick' look.
These are areas I used to frequently haunt when younger. But, now, that I'm older...and, slower/less strong...I tend to go visit seeing there far less. (There used to be a time when I would walk/run around this same area 24 hours per day.)
In fact, I got a little bit 'distracted' -(ADD/Attetion Deficit Disorder)- and, went and visited...the area at the back of The National Gallery...namely, St James Market...where I entered Japan House. I walked around inside of there...and, explored seeing both 'upstairs/downstairs'...looking at the food/drink/manga comics/learn to read/write Japanese Kanji books. After I realised it's getting really 'late' to go visit seeing The National Gallery which will be closing, soon; I very quickly walked straight back upstairs/then, out.
When I did arrive at The National Gallery...the guards there told me...in 10 minutes time we will close. I told them I only wanted to ask the receptionist a quick question. So, they let me in...; and, showed me over to the receptionist desk. I inquired at the desk...will they have 'late night drawing', tomorrow? One receptionist said, yes...; but, she wasn't sure about the time...; I must check it online. A next receptionist who I spoke to...at the side...said, no, there is no 'late Friday' evening drawing session scheduled. Thus, I ended up getting very mixed messages here...??? But, no problem, whenever I arrive back home...I will query into much more online...by visiting seeing The National Gallery web site.
For a short time...such as a minute or two...I saw a room inside of The National Gallery that was devoted to showing off artist Paula Rego's work. I would have stayed there much longer, in fact...; but, the guards called out 'closing time' had come.
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CONCLUSION
It was a very 'busy' day...normally, I don't tend to travel around so much...nor go so far out.
it was, too, a really 'strange' experience...returning back to visit seeing old haunts. All I could think of was...what it had felt like back when I was half my age...and, had so much 'energy/strength'...; then, I would 'walk/run' absolutely everywhere...and, all in a dreadful hurry...sometimes, going and visiting seeing multiple different galleries all in 'one' single day.
But, now-a-days, my body seems to have 'slowed' down so much. I find myself walking around going at an old man's pace/and, I don't feel anywhere near the same boundless 'energy/strength' I had when I was younger.
So, it felt kind of both 'good/bad'...'happy/sad'. Good/happy to be out and about, again...; but, at the same time, bad/sad, that I really can't 'enjoy' the experience in quite the same manner as when I was 'young'. The legs can hardly 'walk/run'...the stamina is no longer there...the feelings of having boundless 'energy' to spare is far less...; and, in this sense, I felt really very deeply disappointed.
The thoughts I had inside were...a 16 year old...does not see/experience this world...in the same way a 60 year old person does. The 60 year old person is kind of 'all washed up'...as in, already 'been there/done that' before. Whereas, to the 16 year old...absolutely everything one experiences is entirely 'new'...and, therefore, different. Whereas, an old person sees, the same, the same, the same.
Man, deep down inside of me...things have considerably 'changed'...! Yes, I still have big enthusiasm...I still believe I can do this/do that...; but, compared to when 'young'...the strength needed to follow through on all of that enthusiasm...seems to be a lot less...it's almost like I really don't care, anymore...and, what happens happens...that's that. I continue to explore seeing outside.../or else, I don't...whenever feeling totally 'tired'...just return back home...and, go watch the TV/Internet, instead. Either way, it doesn't matter. But, when younger...for me, going outside was just about all and everything.
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LINKS...
St Thomas Hospital, Musculo Skeletal 'physiotheraphy' department
https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/msk-physiotherapyThe National Gallery
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