After my Saturday morning fun, I switched to shorts, t-shirt and went for a lazy walk around Bromley, taking in steak and a visit to Hotel Chocolat for some party gifts.
That evening I headed to Foots Cray and to a party/small gathering hosted by Ara where many hours were spent being pedantic, telling jokes and learning about LARPing.
LARPing, while not something I’d participate in myself, does sound good fun. I’m not sure my imagination is quite at the level I’d be able to enjoy it fully. Maybe one day.
I made noises to leave around 1am and K, who I’d first met at Poggs and Sarah’s house warming, asked for a lift. Greenwich wasn’t too far out of my way, so I dropped her home and then went home to write a reflective post before knocking myself out with my usual cocktail.
I woke on Sunday very aware that my kitchen is due to be started this week. With that in mind, I started moving the contents into the living room, throwing away crap I didn’t need and then removing the cupboard doors (using a screwdriver == manly!).
When done, and at a loose end, I arranged to meet up with K and grab some food. We headed to Friends of Mine in Beckenham and I chowed down my second steak in as many days. After the sunshine went away we watched The Ghost Writer. It’s a good film, though a little long for my liking.
Later, because the London Marathon route was by her house and driving would be a nightmare, I deposited K on a train home and I went to sleep.
Today I’m feeling good. I didn’t cycle to work – that’s a treat for tomorrow. And speaking of cycling – I need to book my bike in for its six week check up. I hope it’s healthy.
Tonight I didn’t take the mirtazaline, having agreed the logic that it’s causing peak serotonin in my brain, compared to levels of melatonin (previously), two to three hours after consuming, which is then causing me to wake up.
After tossing and turning for an hour, I took 10mg zolpidem and had fitful sleep for about 2 hours, waking around 0130. Took another, then Emma called – she’s make her flight. Hurrah. Not so sure about her luggage.
I’m now hoping to sleep for another 3.5 hours before I have to function for the day including driving Zachary to the airport. I’m not sure how likely this is.
For the curious types amongst you, this is what I look like at 0130 when I’ve been woken by a phone call after a so far shitty night’s sleep:
I woke up today wondering what to do. I have nothing planned; my diary is empty. Breakfast has been eaten, and I’ve so much energy I may explode. I think I need to go and inflict it on the lovely people of Bromley or Orpington. Probably Bromley.
Last night Jo returned home from her trip and we went to see Inglourious Basterds. Superb film, enjoyed it the whole way through. And I think I’m in love with Diane Kruger. We then come home and watched Touching the Void, before I fell asleep on the sofa.
The work week’s been an odd one. Most of my team in London have been off; the work load is through the roof and keeping up with things is proving difficult. A number of issues have been resolved, and everything’s progressing as it should, it just feels harder than it usually does.
I’ve been far chattier than usual when about my day-to-day business, with people opening up to me more than they usually do. This led to some very interesting conversations with people from all over the world – Italy, Slovakia, Poland, Sweden to name few countries. Great fun!
Jo moved to her place at Canary Wharf this morning. I’m going to miss having her around; she’s fantastic company. I will watch (perhaps write notes on) my mood and sociability levels over the coming weeks and if it’s clear I’m happier living with someone, I’ll (again) think of getting a housemate on a more permanent basis.
Right, onwards to Bromley.
After a couple of years’ consideration, I’ve decided I’m not going to get an extension to the house. A decision which means I can progress with improving other areas.
The plot I’m on is ideal for someone wanting to extend the house. There’s a separate garage to the side which could easily be brought into the house with another bedroom and en-suite bathroom put above – this would also allow almost doubling the size of the kitchen. But aside from a few days every couple of weeks, it’s just me who lives here, and while I often think about how much I enjoy having the space, I don’t actually use it. The dining area is rarely used, the smaller bedroom is rarely used etc, so having another bathroom, bedroom and bigger kitchen would be wasted on me.
Now having decided that, I can move forward with replacing the kitchen, bathroom and boiler/central heating system.
I’m tempted to do away with the bath entirely and have a large walk in shower area – I’ve not used the bath in 6-8 months or so, and whenever I run one, I end up showering afterward anyway (I’d make sure a bath could be fitted before I sold the place). And the thought of having a kitchen with all appliances in one room is very appealing – I currently don’t have a dish washer, or freezer in there.
Once those items are done, I’ll reconsider my living arrangements. Orpington, while great for raising kids full time, isn’t that good for someone who doesn’t have children full time. The temptation to rent out this house and then find somewhere closer to town is huge. I could even move around every 6 months to get an idea about a few areas before deciding on one to settle on – and then either sell the house, or maybe continue renting it out. The possibilities are endless.
But first things first: kitchen, bathroom, central heating.
Along with reviewing my beliefs, personality traits and not forgetting trying to reduce my cravings for sugary snacks, I’ve been looking at things I’d like to change with the house. Some of these items have been planned for a long time (kitchen, bathroom etc), but the rest are new.
Switch around
- Switch the living room around so the TV can be mounted centrally on the wall at the other end.
- Wall mount the 37″ LCD in the bedroom.
New items
- Extension (kitchen and bathroom refit, new bedroom, new en-suite bathroom).
- A/V unit to fit in the corner of the room.
- Dolby 5.1 speaker system.
Upgrades
- Get a 50-60″ 1080p LCD/plasma for the living room.
- Smaller sofa and matching chair to replace the huge one currently there which blocks the door.
- Refit kitchen.
- Refit bathroom.
- Replace boiler and central heating system.
- Decorate throughout.
- Dining table.
The most expensive items (extension, central heating, kitchen/bathroom refit) can all be done as one job which is quite appealing. Once that’s completed, the decoration could be done and then it’s just the finishing touches. Things to think about anyway. Whatever happens though, I need to start saving!
After too many months of ‘meh’, I’ve finally pulled my finger out and have been working in earnest on Zachary’s bedroom.
Over the last two weeks (in limited spare time), we’ve painted the walls, put on skirting boards, painted the radiator, fixed the seal around the window and I hope to be in a position to finish the painting tonight (another coat on the window sill and another on the radiator) before I start varnishing the skirting.
Once that’s complete, we’ll be ordering the carpet and then Zachary will be moving in. Woo.
Emma’s comes back on Saturday.
Tonight has seen the start of Operation Clean and Tidy which has had me cleaning the kitchen, hoovering throughout, tidying various paper work away and will shortly see me ironing.
I wonder if she’ll notice :)
In 4 days, Emma and Zachary are going to visit her Dad in Exeter leaving me to fend for myself at home.
I decided not to go with her as I only get 4.3 weeks holiday, and we’ve already booked one and are planning two further holidays of around a week each before year end. Despite it being my choice, it’s not going to make me miss them any less. I get lonely when they’re not around :(
Looking at the positive aspects of the time alone, I’ll be able to concentrate on my contract work without feeling guilty that I’m neglecting family responsibilities and hopefully I’ll be able to make headway into lining Zachary’s bedroom walls in preparation for painting – it’ll be good to finally mark that project as complete and move him in there.
I’ve been incredibly bad of the last few years in that I haven’t had smoke alarms fitted where I live.
In the Bromley flat I think it was pure laziness on my part (I’d purchased a pack of two at some point, they were sitting in a cupboard), I have no other excuse for putting my family’s life at risk.
On a recent visit to B&Q, I picked up a smoke alarm, it was cheap (cost about £3 or so), and it didn’t work.
So this morning I’ve been researching them a little, finding out about the different types and getting the required ones for the house we’re in now. I’ve gone for an ionisation and also an optical smoke alarm. This should cover both fast burning (think electrical appliance) fires and also the slow smoldering (think burning sofa) fires.
When we look at decorating the rest of the house, I think I’ll consider mains powered devices, possibly with link-up (so one going off will set the rest off) but these are certainly a start and I know Emma will be more at ease with them fitted in the house.
