Computer: Steady, with unresolved problems. The last major crash of several weeks ago has been partly rectified by setting up the Dell 4100 with Windows 2000. It won’t run XP, probably due to a hardware fault on the motherboard. I haven’t had time to install the full set of software on the downgraded OS, and cannot install various packages that require XP. So I’ve been working with reduced functionality. Other machines are okay - though each of them is also constrained by hardware problems. One crashes randomly and frequently, so is only useful as a storage device. It needs to be backed up and overhauled. Another machine has no hard drive space and needs backing up. So I need to get a tape drive working or a stack of DVDs.
Thesis: Have submitted chapters 4, 5 and 6 to good reviews. Have now got til October to revise Chapters 1 and 7, write an abstract and appendices. I am beginning to feel that I am now coasting towards the finish line, which is apparently a year from now. The subtle but important change is that I don’t have to worry so much about yet another disaster throwing everything into doubt.
Houseworthiness: Bad. I haven’t had the time to reinstall the kitchen shelves from when the plasterer was here in, what, May? So the table is still heaped with things that should be on shelves. Similarly, the bedroom has a computer and wiring that should be elsewhere and the place needs a thorough cleaning. However, the toilet tank overflow valve has been repaired and the constant drip has stopped. There does appear to be a different problem with the seal at the pedestal base.
Finances: Still dire. Into the overdraft for the fifth month running. Still borrowing money for basics. Now three months behind on rent. Have been making intermittent but intense efforts to find work. Spent two days visting agencies, most of whom say the job market has been contracting since March, and that casual labour is increasingly difficult to find. Have signed up with a dozen online agencies and shopped my CV around. Have been browsing Gumtree and sending enquiries. Ditto the Birmingham Mail on Thursdays.
Weather: Lovely. Consistently good. Probably the best thing going at the moment. It’s been sunny a lot, warm as well. Consequently the garden has been thriving and I’ve been able to work outside for brief periods at frequent intervals.
Garden: Some good, some less than good. Built a trellis from roofing lath, and have set a honeysuckle to climb on it. Have bought two potted runner beans for training up the fence or garden posts. Have repotted several plants from last year, and trimmed 2-3 feet off the laurel bushes at the bottom of the garden. The last time I did any work on them was two years ago. In contrast, I should note that one of the other tenants has done a hatchet job on parts of the front garden while neglecting the really necessary bits. He’s hacked up a rose bush and a willow tree, even though the lawn hasn’t been cut this year and bushes are overhanging the footpath. His priorities and techniques are not what they should be. There’s a broader issue in that the other tenants have neglected their responsibilities for the time they’ve lived here. The lack of care was somewhat aggravated by the builders and scaffolding making a mess, but hasn’t stopped anyone from doing a simple mowing or tidy-up. I make a consistent effort to keep the back garden in good shape, and would like to attend to the front as well, but cannot justify the time, and should be able to count on the others doing some of it.
Fitness: A bit more out and about on the bike, but not enough to count for anything other than a sore knee after a 14 mile bike ride last week.
Waking State: Pretty good, considering.
What else?
Had a lovely time in Northampton on my way to/from Milton Keynes.
I don’t have a social life per se. One or two friends who I see once or twice a month, a few acquaintances who I might see in passing a couple of times a week, but no nights out, no meals, no pubs, movies, shows, parties, sports, or group excursions aside from the voluntary work I do. Mind you, there’s not much I want to see or do. I’d really rather have a workshop and some material to potter about with. And time to do it.
A strange and hopefully rare thing happened two days ago when someone tried to mug me over the phone. Some guy purporting to sell mobile phones rang and asked if I was happy with my T-mobile phone. I don’t have a T-mobile phone, but did briefly consider one last year, so this guy seems to have got my details from that company. He asked if I wanted a new phone and I said no. He asked what phone I have now and I said none. He then said that if I didn’t want to buy a phone from him right now he would bankrupt my bank account and give me a bad credit rating, then recited my account number and sort code as though that would convince me of his ability to do either. In response, I asked for his name, phone number and company. He said Kevin, gave 0871 424 2725 as the phone number and 3G Direct in Kilmarnock as the company. These were probably lies. He then said that if I intended to complain he would click a button on his computer and wipe out my bank account. I put down the phone and called the police, then the bank. It’s pretty clear he was lying about everything and probably hoping to get me to give credit card details over the phone. If he got my Switch or credit card details I could be in trouble. But a bank account and sort code? What a bozo.
That’s not a very good point to end on, so I’ll end on a bit about things I’d rather be doing.
I would like more time to reflect upon things, do a bit of incidental research and have more to say about topics that interest me. But the competing demands of trying to find work, complete the work I’ve already got, and deal with various obligations means that doesn’t happen. I’d like to write some grant proposals, get into the libraries more often, do some focused reading, learn some programming, and travel to a few other cities for a day or two at a time. I have no prospect of that happening soon, but have a clear enough idea that should the opportunity arise I will know what to do. Maybe later this year, maybe next year.
