200815 Quit Job: OCS Cleaning/Art Galleries: Tate Britain

200815 JOB: OCS CLEANING/OVAL CRICKET GROUNDS - FINISHED JOB/I WALKED OUT

I haven't had a 'serious' job in years/possibly, decades. Instead, what I did in the mean time I would class as being purely 'voluntary work'; either 'unpaid'/or else, very low pay, indeed.

For example, currently, I'm doing Admin work -one day per week- for a company called, First Step Trust; and, it's a 'job placement' meaning they only pay your travelling cost fares...which is £1.50 per half day: 9:30 AM-1:30 PM/£3.00 a full day: 9:30 AM-5 PM.

Streatham Job Centre sent me to the Work Program which is based in Tooting; which aims to put 'unemployed' people into proper 'paid' work. Each individual job seeker is assigned a particular Work Program Advisor. So, I told my Advisor, Philip, get me 'any' job; but, NOT cleaning; which, from my own previous bitter experience, I know I do absolutely hate! What does the Advisor go and do, next...he gets me a job in Cleaning; he even went so far as to tell me to my face that this role is 'ideal' for you. Needless to say, I didn't even bother to reply to that; otherwise, we might end up actually physically fighting together!

Anyway, the job they sent me to is OCS Cleaning at Oval Cricket Ground. It's not regular work as in Mon-Fri/9AM-5PM; but, instead, it's purely contractual work; meaning whenever there is an event at the Oval Cricket Ground such as a Cricket match...then, that's when they text you to come there to work. When the event/event's is/are over with; then, there is no further work. So, work is basically periodical...for, 'one' day/or else, a series of days. You can also chose to do either day shift/or, else night shift. I chose to do night shift...because I was so embarrassed to have to do cleaning; that I didn't wish anybody to see me doing that type of work.

I've worked there 3 days so far to date.

One Friday night, they sent me off to go and empty bins; which I did from 7PM-1PM morning.

Another Friday night, I arrived there 1 hour late; and, again, I emptied bins from around 8 PM until 10 or 11 PM.

They next hired me to work there for a series of 5 days, lasting from the 20th up to the 24th Aug 2015 from 6:30 PM upwards.

Well, on the 20th day, I went...and, as usual, emptied bins from 7 PM-1 PM...with 1 hour break in between...lasting until 2 PM. The supervisor asked me what time do I intend to leave? I answered 5 PM. Then, they asked me to go and clean the toilets. That's when I walked out...!

Ever since then I've not been back there anymore. I thought really hard about going back...; but, just can't seem to find enough 'courage' to do so...?! They are paying me the 'minimum wage' which is £6.50 per hour; and, I'm just not willing/or, desperate enough to go and clean toilets for that money; or, indeed, for any money whatsoever no matter how high. If there is one cleaning job I just can't stand; then, cleaning toilets is it. I guess, they got me at my breaking point. So, I decided to just simply quit. I will clean floors/windows/glass/empty bins; but, sorry, I ain't cleaning no toilets. Not unless I wish to end up deeply depressed/'psychopathic'; totally hating the world, and, absolutely everyone and everything in it.

So, I guess, it's back to being 'unemployed', all over again. I just cannot bring myself to go back there and do that job, anymore. My decision is 'final'. I went right up to the gates each evening: 21st/22nd(today)...but, just couldn't get myself to go in; so, instead, I rode my bike straight back home, again.

220815 ART GALLERY: TATE BRITAIN

http://www.tate.org

Visited seeing the Tate Gallery in Pimlico/also, called, Tate Britain, today.

Saw the works of: Turner/Moore/Hockney/-etc.

Forgot to take sketchbook along.

Currently, there are 2 major exhibitions going on...

Barbara Hepworth
http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/barbara-hepworth-sculpture-modern-world

Fighting History
http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/fighting-history

220815 ART GALLERY: Stephen Wiltshire

Art Gallery online...

http://www.stephenwiltshire.co.uk

Facebook link...
https://www.facebook.com/Stephen.Wiltshire.Artist

I went to see the Stephen Wiltshire art gallery near Regent's Street, today. Unfortunately, the gallery itself was closed; but, I could still see the drawings from outside through the large panes of window glass; plus, there was a movie of him playing of him at work.

210815 Latest News: Art: Wallace Collection/Martial Arts: Tai Chi/Work/-etc.

140815 SELF EMPLOYMENT

I believe it was somewhere around the 14th August 2015; when I decided to try 'self-employment' selling stuff on eBay. -(Decided to apply for form Working Tax Credits; which still hasn't arrived, yet?!)- However, so far to date, I haven't even updated the site to advertise anything for sale. I just been far too busy doing many other things, instead; or, just worrying endlessly about how on earth am I going to cope with paying bills when I have no incoming money.

You see, the complication about selling stuff on eBay is...first, you need 'stock to sell'; but, how do you get 'stock to sell'? The answer, of course, is you have to 'buy stock'; only if you've got no money left...; then, how can you 'buy stock'...?!

So, I'm having a lot of trouble just getting to step 1: buying/selling...; nevermind, having reached step 2, yet: which is obtaining cash from customers.

The other thing that worries me about self-employment is...

1> Keeping constant paper records
2> Having to deal with Tax/National Insurance yourself
3> The unknown...???
4> -Etc.

150815/160815 TAI CHI WITH JAKE IN REGENT'S PARK, ALONG THE BROADWALK/LONDON ZOO END: WHITE WATER FOUNTAIN/OPPOSITE CAFE WITH SIGNS SAYING: 'SMOKEHOUSE'

I located a FREE Tai Chi event through the site
http://www.meetup.com
...which takes place inside of Regent's Park between 10AM-11PM on both Saturday/Sunday.

I attended going there on both days. As usual with me, sometimes, I got there early/other times late.

For the first 2 or 3 lessons; it was just me and teacher Jake. (A young 21 year old blue eyed American who says he's from New York.) He is a very good teacher in that he gives one extremely detailed and clear explanations; which a lot of Tai Chi teachers don't even bother doing; so that one often ends up feeling totally confused. However, with Jake you come away feeling you really know and understand the whole purpose of the lesson/movements, instead.

160815 THE WALLACE COLLECTION

Sometime, during last weekend, Sunday; I went to visit seeing The Wallace Collection; which is a small art gallery housing a private collector's artworks; which is open to the general public. This gallery is located in Manchester Square, just behind Baker Street. I was surprised to see that it contains many wonderful artworks -in fact, quite literally, 100's of them- by 'great' masters including: Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian, Boucher, Murillo, -etc. In all there are 2 entire floors to see; and, the variety of artworks is wide including sculpture/paintings/ceramics/pottery/furniture/tapestry/decorations/-etc.

190815 BIRTH CERTIFICATE ID

Recently, during this week I went to Brixton Town Hall to pick up a 'birth certificate' copy...which I'd already paid £10.00 for; and, ordered around 1/or, 2 weeks before; because I'd lost my 'original' birth certificate.

This was meant to be a pretty straight forwards process...; namely, you pay your money; you are given both a time/date to come and collect it; and, then, you're done. However, the process proved to be more more lengthy and difficult than that.

The first time I went to collect, they told me they had lost it...; therefore, they will phone me back; I received no phone call(possibly, my answer machine was too full; and, couldn't receive any further messages); so I had to return back there in order to query in person.

The second time they said, yes, they have it; however, it's been wrongly printed out onto a 'green' marriage certificate paper; therefore, will need to be corrected. Come back in an hour's time.

The third time, they seemed to have gotten it correct, printing on to 'light brown' paper(not the 'original' red as I'd been expecting). They also said that, now-a-days, these certificates are 'typed', which is much clearer to understand/read; and, then, officially signed.

Ironically, however, I wanted to use the Birth Certificate as proof of ID; but, when I read the notice which is written at the bottom it said:

"WARNING: A CERTIFICATE IS NOT EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY."

200815 OCS CLEANING AT OVAL CRICKET GROUND: 6:30 AM-1 PM

Yesterday, I went to work at OCS, again.

-(So far to date, I've worked there twice; each time on a Friday doing the 'late shift': 9PM upwards; the first night shift was from 9AM-2PM; the second night shift was short around 2 hours long...I got there late by around 1 hour, so...10AM-12 midnight.)

Recently, they offered me continuous 'late shift' work: 6:30AM upwards for 5 days: 20/21/22/23/24 August 2015.

I did my first 'night shift', yesterday, Friday. At first, everything went ok; because each time I go there I usually do just one same job which is 'emptying bins'. I emptied bins from around 7PM-1PM. Then, at around 2PM -(we had 1 hours break)- they decided to change my work to 'cleaning toilets', instead; that's when I decided to, immediately, 'sign out'...so that I don't have to clean toilets which is something I absolutely hate!

I'm really not too sure if I will be returning back there today during the evening; as I feel rather deeply ashamed and embarrassed that I might have gone and let the cleaning 'team' down; they probably view me as being a 'traitor', now.

However, I still have some serious bills to pay; and, no money to have to pay these with...my bank a/c. currently says a balance of only £0.76p. This is because my Benefit money has been sanctioned; meaning I did something wrong...signed on 'late'/or, didn't attend a job interview/-etc.; all the way until Oct 9th 2015. So, I really need money to pay all of the constantly incoming bills with really most desperately; otherwise, I would never even 'dream' of working for OCS.

Basically, Streatham Job Center insisted I do the Work Program at Ixion Business Center, Tooting, Bickersteath Road; and, the Work Program advisor, a young black guy called, Philip...who I told I will do any job; but, NOT cleaning...decided to give me the cleaning job, anyway!

210815 BARCLAYS BANK CASH CARD

Sometime, during this month August 2015 I opened a Barclays Cash Card a/c.; so that I can pay in my wages whenever I find suitable work.

The first Cash Card they sent me was plain/non-personalized; however, later on, I discovered that it's possible to personalize your Cash Card uploading a photo of yourself online; which will, then, get printed out onto the card. I received my personalized Cash Card today. Have to cut up the previous one; and, use the new, instead. The new one also has a slightly different number.

210815 BAKAVVOR FOOD COMPANY/DIDN'T GO FOR JOB INDUCTION AT 7AM TODAY

The Work Program told me to go for a 'paid' job induction today at Park Royal...which is near the end of the Central Line on the tube map...for BAKAVVOR Food company...who run 3 x large warehouses. In fact, I was meant to turn up there at 7AM.

However, I went to work for OCS Cleaning at night; and, came back home late; went to sleep around 4 AM; and, awoke around 10AM which is far too late to attend a 7AM appointment; which means I may have to re-apply, at the London Bridge branch of Ixion, for a BAKKAVOR interview all over, again; including Maths/English test/ID papers/-etc.

060815 Latest news: CAP/Birth Cert.

THINKING OF SWITCHING DEBT HELP SERVICE

PERSONAL DEBT HELPLINE

My current debt help service is PDHL/Personal Debt Help Line.

What these debt help service people do is they arrange with your creditors affordable repayments; and, also, get the creditors to freeze piling on huge amounts of interest for each and every single month.

I currently owe around 8+ grand in debt to various credit card companies/bank loans/-etc.

You arrange a regular monthly payment to help cover both their own administration costs/as well as, to cover paying off the people who you owe. For example, when I pay PDHL £80.00 monthly; around half of that payment is taken as being their admin costs. This makes the debt really slow to pay off, indeed.

NOTE: Currently, PDHL has cut down the £80.00 I normally used to pay to become £20.00 monthly, instead; due to my JSA/Job Seekers Allowance money having been sanctioned. Meaning, I won't be able to get any more benefit money not until Oct 9th 2015. In the mean time, I have no other choice except to see work in order to pay the bills.

CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY

The debt help service who I've been in contact with, right now, is called: CAP/Christians Against Poverty. The main advantage of their service is they don't take any charges at all for themselves; instead, their admin is done totally for free; and, so, all the rest of your money can go towards meeting the debts you owe.

The only problem is, they want me to close down my current bank a/c.; as I owe them for an overdraft loan; and, go open a different bank current a/c. instead with another bank. So, in this way, CAP can deal with paying off the debt; without me running up any further charges. Today, I made an appointment with Barclays bank to see if they would let me open a current a/c. They told me to come back there on Aug 13 10:00 AM.

My CAP support worker is called: Vanessa Reuters. I had a talk with her today at the church in Tulse Hill, Trinity Rise. She mentioned...

-I should contact my GP to get a referral to Brixton Mosaic -(mental health)- services for Aspergers Syndrome; and, then, maybe, they could help me to find a job; also, offer other support services, possibly; such as a support worker.

-I should contact my local Center 70/or, CAB/Citizen's Advice Beaureau in regards to which benefit would be most suitable to apply for if you have Aspergers Syndrome.

-I should make sure to apply for Council Tax help as soon as possible.

In addition to which she gave me some forms to go and fill in/prepaid postal envelopes to send...if I wished to apply to CAP on my own.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE APPLICATION

Unfortunately, I went and lost my 'original' birth certificate. Therefore, I had to get in contact with Brixton Town Hall Births & Deaths Registry office to apply for another one. The young lady who works there said I should fill in a form; and, also, pay £10.00. Then, she gave me a ticket...to come back and collect the certificate at anytime between: 12:00 to 4PM on Aug 12 2015.

Personally, I was really surprised that this task was so easy to do. Because last time I tried doing it online; I found I could not; as the form was asking me for all sorts of details that I don't have such as fathers name/-etc.

Anyway, I still haven't gone and picked up the Birth Certificate, yet; so, I really don't know exactly how much help it will be to me, in future. Will I be able to use it to apply for a passport/or, driving licence/-etc.; I will just have to wait and see...?

250715 Latest updates: IXION/JSA/WORK: OCS/ADMIN/NET DOWN

APPARENTLY, MY LAST BLOG POST WAS A WHOLE ENTIRE YEAR AGO

From looking at the list of my previous diary entries here...it would appear that the last diary entry I made was during July 2014; now, however, the date is July 2015...which is a whole entire year on! Time to add some of the latest updates...

FINANCES

First, I'm totally flat broke; with, basically, no money coming in...; just loads and loads of endlessly mounting bills to pay...?!

In particular, Streatham Job Center, where I'm meant to go and 'sign on', regularly; every single fortnight to receive JSA/Job Seekers Allowance of, approximately, £70.00 per week; has sent me to go on a Work Program training scheme at, Ixion Business Center, Tooting, Bickersteth Road.

Now, the problems I'm having are...if I 'sign on' at Streatham Job Center 'late'...then, they completely cut off my benefits for the next 3 months! Also, if I arrive at the Work Program 'late' they choose to cut my benefits off for a further 3 months! Too, if the Work Program people send you for a job interview; and, you either didn't go/or else, were 'late'; then, the penalty is they stop your benefit for a further 3 months long.

Only I'm in the habit of arriving at all of my appointments 'late'; as I suffer from 'lifelong' ADD/Attention Deficit Disorder; therefore, currently, I do have no benefit money coming in at all; as they've gone and cut it off for how long...I'm not even sure; as I've made far too many offences.

SEEKING WORK/TRYING TO BUILD A C.V WITH WORK REFERENCES

Since I have no benefit money to look forwards to receiving; therefore, I have had to go out and try to find 'paid' work, instead.

PAID WORK: CLEANING AT OVAL CRICKET GROUND

Currently, I'm doing one day per week; night shift on Fridays, 9PM- a cleaning job at Oval Cricket Grounds. The wage is the minimum pay: £6.50 per hour. To date, I've worked there for only 2 weeks/meaning 2 x Friday nights...my first night shift was for 5 hours long: 9PM-2:30AM/and, the next Friday which was just, yesterday...I got there late...was meant to be there at 9PM...but, left home at 9:11 PM...and, reached there around 10PM...worked until 12PM...and, then, came back home, again.

The cleaning work involves...checking if the bins are full; if full, then, tie up the full black liner and place it inside of a large metal dustcart with 4 wheels; next, replace the removed black liner with a fresh new empty black dustbin liner. Then, move on to checking if other bins are full...and, so on.

It's dirty/smell/disgusting work; and, frankly, I do absolutely 'hate' it! However, I need to do this work...in order to gain a cleaning reference to put on my C.V.; which would allow me to work as a cleaner anywhere I please. Though, honestly, I'm not in the least bit interested in working as a cleaner, regularly; instead, I just do such a 'detestable' job if I'm absolutely desperate to gain some money.

UNPAID WORK: ADMIN/WEST NORWOOD/FIRST STEP TRUST

The actual work I'd like to do is 'admin'; and, working inside of offices. For this purpose I recently went and attended an interview last week to do admin work in West Norwood...-the place is located near to West Norwood GPO Parcel depot/which is where I first saw the advert-; the interviewer, a black woman called: Gail Dawson, said I must come in to start work on Tuesday 9AM-5PM.

I look forwards to going there, and, gaining actual work experience in office based skills. However, this work, most unfortunately, is 'unpaid'; though they do give you £1.50 morning shift/£1.50 evening shift...for travel expenses; amounting to just £3.00 daily!

My intention in going there to work for them is not the money, of course; but, instead, just so that I can say I have had some 'recent' work experience in 'admin'; the which reference I can put down on my C.V.

MY CURRENT TIME TABLE IS FAIRLY BUSY 5 DAYS PER WEEK

Currently, I have to attend the job center directed Work Program in Tooting on three days: Mon/Wed/Fri: 10AM-1PM; also, on Thu evenings I'm meant to go to Ixion, London Bridge center to do Self-Employment training; and, on Tue I'm meant to go and do voluntary 'admin' work; which means I have a full week ahead of me; there is no more, constantly, 'staying in'.

Mon: Ixion, Tooting, 10AM-1PM

Tue: First Step Trust: 9AM-5PM

Wed: Ixion, Tooting, 10AM-1PM

Thu: Ixion, London Bridge, 2:30 PM-

Fri: Ixion, Tooting, 10AM-1PM
Fri: OCS Cleaning: Oval: 9PM-

PGTB/VOLUNTARY WORK

I've been a member of Paxton Green Time Bank for around 3 years, now. The Time Bank is a voluntary scheme where they exchange 'Time credits'. Basically, you give up 1 hour of your time to say teach somebody a skill you know; then, you are entitled to have somebody teach you a skill they know, in return. Sometimes, you don't even need to share skills; it might just be somebody needs to share some company; or, they need you to clean for them; or, play games such as Chess together; or, -etc. It all counts towards your amount of Time Credits.

All last week PGTB had an Arts Installation show; and, I was there for each and every single day; sometimes, I played with children; other times, I was doing art on my own; or else, taking part in FREE art classes being given by French teacher, Fabienne. I also helped them to clean up, after the Arts Installation was done.

MY INTERNET WENT DOWN FOR A WEEK AND A HALF; AND, JUST CAME BACK ON TODAY, SATURDAY

My current telephone/broadband(internet) provider is Talk Talk. Only, the internet went down for around 1 1/2 weeks long; and, has only just come back on again, today; because they sent me an engineer to come and fix it inside of the home. What was really weird, though, was it was very simple and easy to fix; as soon as he gave me a new 'gray' lead...-the old lead got broken; accidentally, I went and stepped on it!-.,..it just worked.

However, I had reported it as not working before the lead got broken; there were only 2 lights appearing on the Router...Power/WLAN...all of the other lights were off...including, Internet; so,  it honestly surprises me that the engineer was able to fix the problem so very quickly and easily...when I myself had tried doing everything I could possibly think of before, and, it still wouldn't work?! Anyway, I'm just hoping that Talk Talk won't charge me for calling out their engineer quite unnecessarily.

Tue 22nd July 2014/Went 3 x different MA classes

Mon 21st July 2014/Went Krav Maga, Brixton, St Matthew's church

The teachers said the venue will be changing to Crystal Palace, instead; until 1st September when classes at St Matthew's church will resume, again.

(Fri 25th July 2014/I went to Crystal Palace to discover where the new Krav training place is. It was easy to find. Only I aready missed the 'beginners' class, yesterday: 6:45PM-8:45PM.)

-----

Tue 22nd July 2014/Went 3 x different MA classes

10AM-12:00 Camberwell Green kick boxing at Ferndale Leisure Center/(£7.00 class fee + £3.00 to get in. £20 for monthly membership; then, getting in is FREE; but, the class will still have to be paid for. Teacher: Julian.)

6:30PM-8:30PM Chinese Community Center, Leicester Square, TKD (2 FREE classes/this is class no 1/a black guy is the teacher; forgot his name?)

9PM-11PM Chinese Community Center, Leicester Square, Bai Ji Quan (Teacher Xin, Chinese guy)

SUMMARY OF EACH CLASS

Frankly, after the kick boxing in the morning; my legs were feeling pretty sore; after taking kicks against the pad on my thigh; my thigh ended up being pretty deeply bruised.

The TKD I wanted to check out; because I thought it looked pretty. I still do think that. Plus, it's good for teaching one how to kick.

The Bai Ji Quan, is a hard Shaolin form of style; but, extremely effective especially up close.

CONCLUSION

After already taking 2 classes, today; I wasn't sure I'd still have enough energy left to go take the 3rd; but, somehow, I seem to have managed it. I think, the real reason why though is because the TKD teacher went real easy on me; not making the lesson too difficult; thus, I still had strength available to do BJQ.

I really don't know how long I will continue with doing these lessons; far more likely than not something will have to stop; as I'm totally flat broke. So, I might end up chosing to go only to one class, alone; as opposed to all.

Tue 8th July 2014 KM/DWP/MA

Tue 8th July 2014

KRAV MAGA SPARRING SESSION IN SUNHIL'S PRIVATE HOME

9AM I had an appointment with Sunhil(29 Apache[?] Road, Brixton), a Nepalese guy, who I met in Krag Maga class at St Matthew's church in Brixton, to go and do some sparring. I was meant to arrive at 9AM; but, I was late by 1 hour; so, eventually, I arrived at 9:30AM instead; he did not complain. We both went into the garden, and, did some boxing; followed by some Krav Maga self-defence; and, also, some knive disarm work. We both wore shin guards/groin guards; and, the hitting was light as opposed to hard. It was interesting sparring with him; as although he is shorter than me; he is also quicker; and, really quite strong. I'm not exactly sure; but, he is at least my equal as a boxer; and, is a far better kicker. Being we are both beginners; therefore, I can't honestly say I learned an awful lot from him...though he did show me a few of his own techniques; but, out main aim is to practice stuff so that we don't forget; and, also, to sharpen our awareness/reflexes/timing/conditioning/-etc.

He said he had to meet up with a friend who came calling at the door, Michael; with whom he goes to Brockwell park to play tennis. So, when Michael came; he wasn't too interested in learning or studying martial arts; so, we both stopped; and, I left for home; leaving both of them to go and play tennis together.

Sunhil said he would call me again, next week. I left him a business card with my name/address/phone number(home/mobile).

PRINT MAKING AT DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY

2PM-4PM Curtesy of Paxton Green Time Bank, I went to Dulwich Picture Gallery to do some 'print making' practice. We drew flowers, first, by using a pencil; then, after we drew over the pencil marks onto a paint slab; which thus produced a coloured in print on the other side of the paper we were drawing on. Finally, we were given frames to store our drawing in. Personally speaking, I was happy with the result.

4PM-5PM Afterwards, we were given a FREE gallery pass to go and see 'prints' made by Ben Nicholson, and, his wife; as well as, others in his group. The prints were interesting; but, honestly, most were not that great; with the exception of a few. Anyway, I enjoyed looking the exhibition; which otherwise I would have missed completely.

CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS COMMUNITY CENTRE, LEICESTER SQUARE: BAJIQUAN

8PM-11:30 PM Two weeks ago I went to look at the martial arts they practice in Leicester Square, Chinese Community Centre. They have 2 there: TKD(6:30PM-8PM/£???)/and, BAJIQUAN(9PM-11PM/£5.00).

Then, last week I actually took a Bajiquan lesson.

This week I decided to go back to learn some more; and, especially, to refresh my memory so that I don't forget?!

I like the lesson; but, I can't honestly say that I understand it...being just a total complete beginner; I know that my moves are all wrong...! However, I figure that with sufficient practice I might be able to get it in the end...?

TKD: FREE CLASS NEXT WEEK: JUST REMEMBER TO TURN UP 6:30PM

I also inquired about TKD; and, was told I would need a uniform to practice; but, the chinese lady said she wasn't too sure about the price; I must go and consult their web site, instead. TKD: 0751 7437 300.

RODE MY BIKE THE LONG WAY AROUND THEN HOME

12:00 Midnight-2AM. I rode home the long way around: Leicester Square, Picadilly, Waterloo, Westminister, Lambeth Bridge, Vauxhall, Stockwell, Clapham Common, Clapham South, Balham, Tooting, Tooting Bec, Tooting Broadway, Streatham, Streatham Common, Crown Point, Norwood Park, Earnest Ave, -etc. Eventually, I arrived home somewhere around 2AM.

In fact, I still feel rather energetic, and, want to go back outside, again; but, then, I think, it might well be far better if I were to let myself get some sleep.

I need to do some running around the park; which I haven't been practicing for a few days now; due to Achilles Tendonitis injury playing up.

010714 Went Kung Fu in Leicester Square

9PM-11PM Tuesday July 2014 I went to the Chinese Community Center in Leicester Square to go and practice doing some Kung Fu.

Last Tuesday I went there to watch. This Tuesday I actually went there to participate in taking an actual lesson for £5.00.

I was told to come along on Saturday at 2PM to do a FREE session if I wish; and, also, to check them out during the weekend.

When I first went in, they were still practicing Taekwon Do. I saw 2 oriental girls practicing together; with the same Kung Fu teacher conducting the lesson.

Then, after TKD had finished; it was my turn to go and learn.

I have to admit that learning anything 'new' can be pretty damn difficult; and, so, I find myself making mistakes all over the place!

1, The first difficulty is trying to remember all of the moves?
2. The second difficulty is trying to get those moves to work correctly.
3. The third difficulty is it's one thing to practice moves alone, and, in air; but, not so easy to do it in real life against a willing, and, highly cooperative partner.
4> The last difficulty is to get the moves working against a partner who is totally uncooperative, instead.

Right now, I'm still going through the remembering stage, quite frankly.

Anyway, I hope to take many more of these Kung Fu classes, in future. The atmosphere was one I liked; where the focus is intense; and, of course, they do strike you; but, not with dead serious intent; so you still come out of the lesson feeling perfectly ok. I thought I would get hurt; but, no, not at all. Far from it, I actually enjoyed the rough and tumble. I also very deeply appreciated being allowed to practice doing breakfalls with any mats.