Thu 190320 Part of downstairs basement ceiling collapsed, again...

When I went downstairs...thinking all is 'safe'...I discovered debris all over the floor/kitchen table...; then, when I looked upwards...I saw that the hole in the roof had expanded even further than before...meaning the ceiling plaster is still falling down. I'm just hoping that the whole of the damn ceiling don't collapse(or, how that would affect the rest of the buildings structure).

 

Wed 180320 Collected last 2 bags full of stuff from Beckett House/Gambled: Lost £30 on Roulette/Donner kebab Super Pizza £11.99

18:35 GAMBLED LOST: £30 AT WILLIAM HILL PLAYING ROULETTE

I was tempted to go and visit:
http://www.williamhill.co.uk
...where I went and deposited £30.00.
In the end, I lost it all...
all that was remaining was just: £0.40p balance.


8 PM WENT TO BECKETT HOUSE COLLECTED THE LAST 2 LARGE BAGS OF ITEMS

I boarded a number 2 bus; then, went over to Beckett House in Stockwell to go and collect the last 2 bags of my mum's stuff from her flat.

Glad to say that, eventually, I got all of the stuff now home; and, therefore, I don't need to return back to Beckett House, again.

However, this is still the large sized gilt frame mirror...which I might still make an enquiry about.

11:21 ORDERED PIZZA: DONNER KEBAB

Just to celebrate my not having to go back to Beckett House anymore to carry heavy bags home, I decided why not order a donner kebab Super pizza 18 in.

0208 670 7799

Tue 170320 Went Beckett House to clear out my mums goods.../visiting inside of the home for the very last time.

On Fri 12th March 2020, the Baliff's had left a note of my mum's door flat in Stockwell; stating that they had done an inventory of the goods; and, within 7 days time they were going to put everything up for sale(if unclaimed).

I went to visit Hyde Housing Office...where I took down their emergency number: 0800 3 282 282; when I got home I made a phone call to a lady called: Agnes(in charge of the access rights); because I couldn't get into/or, access the flat...due to the Baliff's having changed the lock. She made me an appointment to go and see them on: Tue 17th March 2020 12:00 midday.

On Tue 17th -(yesterday)- I went to Beckett House to clear out the flat. The concierge people gave me 1 hour to move stuff...so, I really had to hurry; altogether I collected up 4 large bag fulls of stuff(the big bags, also, contain smaller bags of stuff inside).

-(I left all of the furniture behind...too big/too old/too expensive to move/too large for my own house to contain it. I also left some old papers/most of which I considered to be completely useless; and, some bedding that I figured I don't really need./Also, left behind old cups/plates/cutlery/washing up liquids/-etc. The only thing I regret not taking was the full length mirror/with decorative gilt edge. However, I felt it was big/heavy to carry/plus, I worried it might break.)-

I moved 2 bag fulls by using the bus...going from Stockwell, and, over to West Norwood.

As it is, right now, Wed 18th March 2020 18:30 PM...I still have 2 more bag fulls of stuff to move.

Thu 060220 Went Lil Sullivan Art Class-nobody there; then, rode my bike off to her home.../Phoned Sunnil

3:30 PM WENT LIL SULLIVAN ART CLASS

First, I went to Lil Sullivan's FREE art class at Ackerman Medical Health Centre...2-5 PM. Only when I arrived; the lights were off...and, nobody was actually inside of the classroom.

—-
4 PM WENT LIL SULLIVAN'S HOUSE

As Lil Sullivan doesn't live too far away from Ackerman Medical Health Centre; therefore, I decided to go and visit her at home...to inquire why nobody had turned up to class, today.

I rang the bell...and, her husband Ezra came out...inviting me in.

I gave Lil a bag of old Auction catalogues...around 10+...which I'd picked up for FREE from Rosebery's Auction House. (She collects these to do Collage art with.)

I also gave her some A5 size drawing books...around 5; and, some metal pencils sharpeners + rubbers.

Her husband Ezra asked me to borrow him £500.00...so that he can buy some t-Shirts to sell...sporting his own Logo design(Scots flag + Jamaican flag).

I'm not too sure exactly what I said...but, certainly, I didn't agree to that plan. (If I had £500.00 cash to spare...I would use it to fund my own business venture, instead.)

Anyway, Ezra gave one of the his Logo's to take home...and, go and experiment with.

I was sitting at their Mac Computer...when Lil said she would like to design a book containing her art works; and, I told her there was FREE Blurb software that you could download to achieve this; and, next, I went and downloaded it. I tried setting up a back cover (photo of her)/and, also, 1 page of her artwork; after which I decided to leave it at that...because, I realised that designing a whole entire book would, most likely, take all night...! I made my excuses...telling her I would need to go home...and, experiment with learning to use the Blurb software, first...otherwise, my creation wouldn't be efficient due to lack of sufficient practice; when I do go home and practice using it...; then, I will get back to her...by the end of the week.

 8:30 PM SPOKE TO SUNNIL OVER THE PHONE

Sunnil requested me to give him some feedback over last nights Krav Maga lesson...having left an answer machine message earlier in the day.

So, I phoned him back during the evening; and, explained I liked seeing the BJJ techniques he showed...; and, was impressed by his smooth execution.

I also explained...because I'm 'out of shape'...I'm glad the lesson wasn't too difficult.

Sunnil said that both he and Remi had agreed beforehand...that he Sunnil would take the 1st lesson/and, Remi would take the 2nd lesson. However, in the middle of Sunnil's lesson...Remi took over, immediately, when he arrived...and, Sunnil wasn't happy about that. So, he said he might no longer decide to keep working with Remi, anymore.

Wed 050220 Renewed 6 x Library books/Went Krav Maga at West Norwood Leisure Centre

5:50 PM RENEWED LIBRARY BOOKS AT WEST NORWOOD LIBRARY

I renewed 6 library books at West Norwood Library; they are to be returned towards the end of the month.

7:30 PM KRAV MAGA, WEST NORWOOD LEISURE CENTRE

I decided to go to Krav Maga at West Norwood Leisure Centre. Around 1 hour/or, half-an-hour before...I had a discussion over the phone with the instructor Remi...who said it's possible to pay for 6 months instruction for £225.00. I told him I would pay £125.00 during my initial lesson; and, when I next see him...pay the other £100.00...to which he agreed.

At the lesson I saw my old friend/and, current Krav Maga instructor, Sunnil. He started the first class/and, Remi took over, later on; Remi, both started/finished the 2nd class.

Sunnil, announced to all the rest of the class that I had been doing Krav for the last 100 years...; even, though, I never went and graded...and, thus, do still remain 'white belt'...and, everyone must give me a clap. Rather than feel embarrassed...I just simply laughed. Then, I explained when somebody asked...it's really an exaggeration...I went one month; then, didn't turn up for 6 months...then, went another month; didn't turn up for a year...so, I was really on and off; that's why I never graded.

Anyway, I had a good night...in that I was able to return back to exercising, again; because, quite honestly, my body is just totally and completely 'out of shape'...so, I need to get back into some sort of shape, and, really quite desperately.

NOTE: My bank a/c. is now completely drained...after having go and paid Remi £125.00; I believe, the balance left just says, £8.xx.

Sat 010220 From Kingswood - went Birmingham Hospital 10 AM - returned 10 PM - slept Kingswood

Promised my cousin Sharon I would arrive there early in the morning...before 9 AM. We had to be ready to go visit her brother, Blusie, who is in Birmingham hospital seriously ill; and, the car journey should take, at least, 4 hours long.

Woke up 'late' at around 7:30 AM (wanting to go back to sleep)...did an online search to find out when the next train leaves from West Norwood going to Kingswood.

https://www.thetrainline.com

Left home to take the 7:58 AM train from West Norwood to Norwood Junction; waited at Norwood Junction for the 8:32 AM train to arrive to take me to Purley; when I arrived at Purley...the next train was already there...I simply crossed over the platform...and, took the back of the train going to Tattenham Corner. Before the end stop...I got off at Kingswood. I walked up to Sharon's house...only to discover nobody was in when I, repeatedly, knocked on the door/rang the bell. The time was now 9:15 AM; and, I was supposed to arrive there before 9 AM; thus, I was sure everybody had already left.

Anyway, I waited around for 1/2 an hour...before deciding to walk back to Kingswood railway station. The London Bridge train was due to arrive in around 25 minutes or so...; after waiting on the platform with 16 minutes left for the train back home to arrive...I saw Sharon's car...and, she told me to get it. Luckily, I had left a note...inside the margins of the newspaper stating that I did visit; and, when she saw the note...after having returned home...she came to the railway station to get me.

At Sharon's home I had something to eat(roll with 3 sausages)/drink(tea); then, all three of us, piled together into the car...Sharon/Geoff/Me...going off to Birmingham...with Geoff driving. The drive was really long...going through motorway lanes...and, also, really fast...60 m.p.h. I think, the full journey there was 125 miles...and, during the last 25 miles the car broke down(clutch problmes)...we came to rest at a stop along the motorway. Geoff phoned for the Nat West travel insurance people to come and fix it. We also went and had some refreshments: Starbucks/KFC/-etc.

Eventually, he decided to make a phone call to another cousin...Krish, Anne's husband...to come and collect us...who was already at the hospital. After waiting around 1 hour long...the cousin arrived; and, we all went in his car back to the hospital.

At the hospital we saw the two other sisters, June/Anne; as well as, Neville, Krish. We went upstairs to the ward where we saw Blusie...he was on a Dialysis machine...he did not look well at all...with one leg around amputated/and, also, amputated toes/-etc. However, he did manage to loose a lot of weight...not that this made him small...bearing in mind he is a really big build man to begin with.

The fact is, I didn't grow up with Blusie...therefore, I don't feel totally close to him at all; so, frankly, I found talking to him to be really difficult...almost like talking to a stranger. I don't think that either of us did totally enjoy having whatever short conversation we did have. Will I go see him, again; yes, I'd like to...maybe, if I see him more; then, we can connect more; also, I feel he is family...so, I really must try harder/and, not just simply walk away.

If it was certainly an adventure going there...with the car breaking down; and, needing to be rescued. Then, returning from Birmingham back to Kingswood was even far worse. Basically, we encountered a Pakistani cab driver...who was supposed to take us back to where the car was...on the M40 motorway...in between junctions 12 to 13. Well, the guy seemed to miss the M40 altogether...and, took us down the M42...; then, he returned back...onto the M40...then, missed the junction turning.../and, in fact, did the same thing twice. He tried to get directions his Taxi headquarters...reporting to them that his car is 319; but, somehow, that didn't seem to help. In the end, Geoff had to direct him as to what to do. Considering we are on the motorway...which allows cars to speed up really fast...60/70/80 m.p.h...it was a really scary drive, especially, during late winter evening, and, at night.

When we arrived at the Motorway junction stopover. Geoff phoned the rescue people to come; they said they would be along in, maybe, an hour. So we went and got some refreshments to eat...; assuming the rescue people would phone us when they came. Eventually, the rescue truck did turn up; and, they towed the car onto the back of their truck; whilst we all crammed inside of the lorry front. We then had a long motorway drive to Beaconsfield; where, again, we stopped to have some further refreshments...and, then, got into another lorry...experiencing another long motorway drive...this time to Kingwoods doorstep. The last two drivers were really professional...who, most definitely, knew exactly what they were doing...and, where they were going to...so, there was nothing to feel 'scared' about at all; they were also really friendly drivers, too.

I can't actually remember the exact time we arrived back at Kingswood; but, let's just say the journey from Kingswood started at 10 AM...and, finished back at Kingswood...at around 10 PM; so, in all we had a very lengthy day!

I stayed overnight at Kingswood; with the intention of returning back home to West Norwood tomorrow, Sunday.

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.)-