I’ve had a lot to think about in the last few weeks. Some of these things I honestly never thought I’d see the time come, and mixed feelings and emotions, but I am good overall.

Firstly, pills. As I have mentioned several times before, I have to come off the Duphaston (Dydrogesterone), whether I like it or not, as it’s been discontinued by the manufacturer. So, I’ve started phasing myself off it gently, by cutting some of my remaining stock in half. I will hopefully try other things in time, but I want a clean break first. Lets see if this was really behind some of my feelings, or the Estradiol Valarate instead. I don’t expect to feel hugely different by stopping it in this way.

Secondly, feelings. Since this post, it’s been brought to my attention that Claire died in her sleep peacefully, after a heart attack. Now, no matter how many choice words had to say about me, I don’t think that she deserved to die, not right now, not far from her (45th I think) birthday.

Thirdly, new ventures. I never thought I’d say that the book was finished (see this post) but it is, and in the final stages of checking. I’d like to have it for sale by the end of the month, so keep watching! There are other projects in mind, and I’ve already had C suggesting a complimenting volume for down here… seriously!

Finally, despite the three things above, here is something I thought I’d never say. From the end of September (this Autumn), I’m going to be a student - for the first time since I left school (aside from the NVQ's I got about twelve years ago)! Full-time equivalent in open learning, and starting on a few Level 1 computing units. By the time I get my teeth into it, I can choose which of the qualifications I’d like to put that towards, and then go from there over the coming years.

Now, that will give me stability, something to work towards, and a pattern, as well as a bit more of an existence to my life. So, why this, why now? Well, health is a main thing, so this is flexible, as well as not requiring a daily commute! Caroline is supporting and encouraging me for the longer term, so I see this once again as good. The time frame being just over two months away, gives me time to finally continue with moving out of my current place in Dundee. Educational feelings from the past – well, I wanted to get out of school, move away, and become the person I knew I really was. Now, some things have not changed – I’ve done this. I’m settling in. I’ve got support, and friends on both sides of the border (and the Atlantic!). Now that is all out of the way, who knows?

The previously referred to interview didn’t go as planned, but I’ve managed to top that in fairly spectacular style, don’t you think?

So, what else? We had Caroline’s sister-in-law staying down with us on Thursday night, en route to a meditation weekend in deepest Suffolk. Yesterday I was out and about, will write about that later on.

Additionally, at the weekend, I used iTunes to purchase (the whole album, not just the single) Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson (a few of her songs have some wonderful lyrical meanings to me, as previously mentioned here), and some old school stuff too!

After Caroline's recent post, she seemed to think that the pic of her just made her look fat. So, here's another one from Saturday instead...!

Well, yesterday, Mr UPS didn’t show up – yet. I don’t have a label (tracking) number to view it online, so I’m assuming it’s on the way.

It’s been a very busy week of last. I’ve caught up to date with happenings since then. I’m having a good time of it. The intermittent shoulder pain has gone away, the antihistamines are now working (and not making me too sleepy at the same time, now!), and I feel like I could do anything!

So, what happened yesterday? Well, I’ve been working on ‘another project’ on and off for many years – but I finished it the other week, and the first test copy arrived with me yesterday! It’s a book that I’ve compiled and put together – 112 pages and more than 90 images – so it’s a fair read! I’m proof reading with my copy at the moment, and it should be available for sale online in a few weeks. Keep watching this blog for an announcement about it in more detail next week!

Secondly, while not strictly knee-deep in the job market, I was keeping an eye open in adverts. I spotted something in the local rag (same one where I’d seen the phone advert the previous week) that looked of interest – well, two, with the same company. I applied, and got a phone call yesterday, offering me an interview for one of said positions, next Thursday! It’s not in a call centre, it’s not in public transport, it’s not in the prison service, and I have had the confirmation email today. I don’t want to get your hopes up, but keep reading!

So, Friday is good. I’m just waiting for Mr UPS to turn up with the second copy of the book before I dive in the bath – because, as soon as you are there, he’ll turn up! After that, I’ll have a lie-back and relax!

This weekend could potentially be a busy one, and I wanted to go out to one of the transport events this weekend, and ideally, a little bit of shopping too. So, following discussions with Caroline, we’re heading out to the Metroline Potters Bar garage open day tomorrow morning, and stopping at The Galleria at Hatfield on the way home – subject to change!

That way I get the best of both worlds – who said a girl couldn’t have her cake and eat it?

Things are good right now. I've been busy today, but have been getting intermittent pains in my right shoulder... now, my right shoulder is sore, and has been for about two hours, even with painkillers.

So, I will make this only a short post, and I will be leaving here in just over an hour anyway... off up to Scotland, back tomorrow night. Long story, will explain later.

Here's to no more problems...

Slightly rushed, trying to do a million things today. Not helped by problems in trying to book tonight's trip... I'll tell you about it later.  

BTW on a more positive note, today is our fifteen month anniversary, one and a quarter years!

I got back to Royston about two and a half hours ago, and already planning my next trip. Yes, literally.

So, while I delve into the realms of possibilities, have a look at Eric The Bus Driver. This is a online comic, with some adult humour, about the life and times of a "fictional" bus driver.

Remember I mentioned a while ago that the Duphaston I take is being discontinued? Well, I went to see the doc on Monday about a replacement, and he left me a prescription for something that made me depressed before i.e. Provera. So, I went back yesterday to ask about alternatives, and I will come to that again later. I am now also back on the Telfast (Fexofend-whatever) that I was on before (strong anti-histimine) as the over-the-counter ones from Tesco aren’t working anywhere near what I need, and wearing off already!

So, after we’d been to the doc yesterday, we went out for a drive around Essex, stopped at Great Dunmow for lunch at Musketeers – here’s Caroline…


We then continued to Braintree Freeport and met up with C’s friend Kim for coffee and some quick shopping (C’s has replaced the teapot with TWO new ones!) and then back to Royston.

Today, I’m going out soon to Skegness until Sunday, and on Monday I will probably be heading north, to see about a replacement for the pills. Keep watching!

Well, Caroline's newest delivery - of an Apple TV (to replace the defective Mac Mini) turned up earlier, and it's already been set up. C is particularly happy that it's HD ready as it will go with the tv itself.

I'm very sneezy right now... but I will come to meds and pills and stuff tomorrow.  

OK, so to recap the last few days... yesterday, we were out at the docs, partly to question re some of the pills I am on have been discontinued. That one is still technically ongoing, so I will come back to that later on. (I did pop out to the chemist and back, and ended up sneezing my head off - now I wonder about these 'one a day' antihistimines!)

How many post people does it take to deliver our mail? Well after the usual one, and another with C's wii, a third came mid-afternoon with two more Amazon packets for Caroline (books) and a couple of envelopes I was expecting from HCC (Watford Area Guide 1, June 2008 editions).

I've passed on all your kind words re C's hair. Tomorrow, not quite sure yet, see if Cs laptop can get rid of the tea spilt on it earlier on. if not... well... we'll see!

p.s. There is another surprise to come tomorrow, and I don't know what it is, honestly!

... and this one was a surprise to me too!

C told me that she was expecting a package from Amazon, and I presumed it was more books or something.

But no, it's arrived... and it's a Nintendo Wii...

... and yes, she's already crashed into the teapot while playing bowling! She's having lots of fun though!  

Once she arrived home and I'd done the pictures, she said "when are you having yours done?"

It's been a very busy - but productive - day today!

Now, I will leave it till tomorrow to type it all up, and we might just have a little surprise for you... :-)

... I called up this morning for a doctor's appointment for Caroline & I, and the receptionist recognises my voice, without me giving my name - when I said it was for myself and one other, she asked "is that for Caroline?". So, have I been there that often?!

Anyway, now finished a project I've been working on quite a bit of late - 112 pages and well over 90 photos, plus over 200mb of files! I've been working on it on-and-off for years, but the time I had after the op was the first time I had the chance to put it all together. Keep watching!

... now back through in the study, having made us both lunch. Still sneezing now and then, but not too bad.

Feeling better, maybe 90% (if 0% is how I felt during the worst of the cold).

I do feel a bit better today, not yet 100% so still in bed! Planning on doing lunch in just over an hour, though.

Also, hello to shullie, who found me via thermalsatsuma (who found me via thebustocrookes etc.etc.) It's a small world right enough. I do seem to have a fair few friends from across Yorkshire.

So, last night, I was sneezing my head off... went to bed around 2100. Went to sleep straight away, woke up 0300ish to remember my pills. After those, some more (paracetemol). Woke up with the post just after 0900.

Now, C's suggested I go back to bed with the laptop, no idea from where I picked up this cold, but it could have been somewhere around yesterday.  I've had all the painkillers and anti-histimines I can, and a double lot of Vitamin C, but I am still sneezing, spluttering.

Do Not Want!   

So, I said I was having a bit of a mini-bash today. C ended up staying at home and rearranging/tidying the flat, but I had plans. I left the flat in time to walk through Royston town centre, for the 0908 331 bus towards Hertford. Here, a shorter-than-usual DAF/Wright Cadet, 4522, was ready to take me to Reed, Blacksmiths Lane. I was dropped opposite the bus shelter/village hall…


… and crossed over for Richmond’s Friday-only Service 334 towards Cambridge. One of the regular passengers was waiting at the stop, although not intending to travel (she was going to a funeral, and wanted to inform one of the regulars). Optare Solo YJ 05 XMZ pulled in…


… The bus continued back through Barkway and Barley, before continuing on roads familiar from the 10/43 of a few weeks back. We picked our way through Cambridgeshire into Essex, before running non-stop from Elmdon (where we didn’t pick anyone up anyway) to Addenbrooke’s (again, no one wanted dropped off) and continued into Cambridge city centre.

So, after stopping to pick up the June edition of the Cambridge ‘citi’ bus map/guides (revised with city centre stop changes, plus adding new 8 and 553-5 services) amongst others, posting a letter, and then proceeding to Claire’s. The ear piercings that I had done closed up while I was recovering/in hospital (had to take the studs out), so had them redone again. This time, both done at once… at the same moment too!

From there, around Cambridge market and shops (stopped for a bite to eat, plus some other goodies, mostly from Boots – including a new moisturiser-sunscreen combined), before going for the more direct route back to Royston on the 26 bus at 1240.

I’m sneezing madly for some reason, so I shall let you choose your favourites of the other pictures here!

New phone now in use, and I am slowly getting used to the keypad! The last one was metalic, and this seems a little softer than metal. Some of the keys have been switched around, i.e. Options and Clear are the reverse of where they were on the L6!

We are both at home today (C's going out walking today, but has put it off when she saw the morning weather!), although I am thinking of going for at least a mini-bash tomorrow.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been out for any kind of professional hair removal. I’d been to Cambridge Skin & Laser back last year – in fact, when I looked back to type this, 27th April 2007 seemed about right. Now, I had intended to go back, but time and money (two commodities in short supply, esp. the latter) prevented this at the time. Caroline wanted to go in for a bit on her face (it’s been a while since she’d been there too), and she wanted to have me done at the same time – and offered to cover the costs, saying it was needing to be done. OK, the growth is a little less since surgery, but perhaps this is the right time to do it too.

So, we were due in at 1600 [yesterday, Wednesday 18th], but we arrived in plenty of time (school run traffic didn’t seem to materialise!) They’ve refurbished the place since the last time we were both there, but the coffee machine is still there! (Coffee for me, as the hot choc made me sleepy the last time!) Ruth (the woman I saw last time) was on the front desk. As it happened, the two of them were working on each other as we arrived…

… Anyway, C went first (we were seen by the woman who C had saw several times, but I can’t recall her name), so I got a reminder of exactly what was involved. In both cases, quite a bit of work was done. I was a little sensitive at the beginning (and the other woman slowed down at that point the last time) but I got over it very quickly. It wasn’t too bad. All was good! (The only slight side-effect was the goggles have hurt my left eye, and it’s a little tender under the eye. That will pass I expect).

We went from there to pop in to visit auntysarah and the_local_echo, and interrupted Sarah’s LJ posting (again) and then onto watching the snake feeding (won’t explain, but I am sure you can guess!)

After that, I offered to cook for C this evening, but we stopped at Domino’s (any size £6.99 to take-away!) on the way home.

Caroline has dropped off the hire car, and that's us back to the one - for now at least. She made it to Stretham in plenty time for a drink (from the post office adjacent!) before coming home.

C has just called me from her walk (she is walking around East Cambs today, after returning the hire car), and asked me to look up her next bus. Did so, it's on Thursday... (she was on a back road, y'see!)

Anyway, don't worry too much, she's just a mile away from Stretham Church, where an X9 to Cambridge will be leaving in enough time for her to make it, and then connect quite nicely with the last (1840) 26 bus to Royston.

Now, that's my boss, and now my partner that I've directed onto the 26 after depositing a car somewhere...

p.s. She was near the Upware-Ely 117 Thursday market day service, operated by A&P Coaches. However, also, not a million miles away from a village called Downfield... not the Downfield in Dundee where she grew up!

We had one last bash out in the car yesterday, and went to a fairly quiet (for a Monday!) Cambridge Retail Park. C decided I could do with some summer shoes while we were there!

Today, she's taken the car back, and is currently walking somewhere out in East Cambridgeshire. I'm having busy quiet day!