Happy Mondays

Not really...but it is done now...or should I say...nothing happened and I need to go back at the start of December. However...it was nice to be back at Marischal College...people were genuinely pleased to see me..and it was nice to catch up on the goss....and I ended up having my lunch paid for as well...hurrah...really good to spend time with the Tree Consultant and Arbor Manager...pitching my sale to them....and they loved it...for Tullos Hill..phew....or it would have been back to the drawing board!! Somehow managed to do a lot of walking as well...so that was good...and off to walk on Tullos tomorrow....Sin advised me an access point I thought had been totally closed off was in fact still open but very badly put together...I was shocked and appalled...so I will check it out and see what I can do. The area is pretty secluded so I will e letting folks know where I am...then prep for Wednesday at the School...and the stuff for a logo design....all very interesting though...and I am learning about deer management as well. It seems I am going to be spending the night with the guy who is out shooting the deer...a night on Tullos with guns and dead deer....ahhhh.....the thrill of it all! Done and done.

Ready For Chaos

Just about to go on air on shmu.org.uk...lots going on since I came back of my hols so should go quickly...then a quick hoof up the road to Cove and an afternoon of chaos with the Nursery kids and staff...will be nice to work with them rather than around them while with Community Service...a final session...bench building...tyre filling and shelter making as well...see how it goes. Feeling the pain form a 6 day week and then some music stuff the next day...was totally destroyed last night....early to bed and seem to be a bit better..no more 6 day weeks this year thank goodness....even though I did enjoy it it is obviously not condusive to my well being. Looking forward to Saturday evening and spending time with Andy...1st time since the wedding...almost a month ago now...crazy how time flies. Apparently the wedding pics are in so need to get along there to see them next week. Rest day on Sunday and away to a pals on Satirday am. Docs on Monday am..this will not be pelasant but has to be done. Hopefully the results will be what I am looking for...if not....we shall deal with that as and when it happens. Last night I dreamt of dad. I miss him. Done and dusted.

6 Days

A 6 day week done and dusted....phew...hopefully a simple 5 day week starting tomorrow...domestics before music today....washing on and tv...then off to the office...a good friend gave me a hard drive with a full set of disco/party tunes...split between decades...and genres...and "party bangers"..apparently it takes 5 hours to copy but will mean I can deliver at any party...if I purchase a cheap laptop...this is the same fella who has a full dj set up he is willing to let me have for installment payments...too good to be true?...possibly not. We shall see. I am also going to do a garden job for him as he has moved to Brechin....he says he would pay but I think a trade off for all he has done for me..or will be doing...bit cheeky otherwise don't you think? I am tending towards keeping the Edinburgh flat off the market until next January...putting it on the market now with a finishing point of the end of November where the market goes dead is a bit nervy for me...especially when the tenant will have to be asked to keep the place tidy...while living with a leaky roof....she may just leave...the flat remains unsold...and no rental income...however...if I let her know it is going on the market in January...in November...she may find somewhere in December and that will mean I can remove furniture and keep it clean for January viewings...or she may stay until January and it will be a weekend of mad rushing about in a hire van...but that would mean rental income. Either way I am going to be overdrawn until the flat sells...hopefully February time...I will be going to the bank to explain...and be careful with money. If this dj thing kicks off at least I will be able to use the cash and leave my account free...so every time the salary goes in it will reduce the overdraft more. Keeping one's nerve is the key here. I am also tending towards leaving Perth and drawing a line under the roof monies still outstanding....I can't be bothered anymore..unless something becomes apparent in the near future. In addition to the Tree Squad saying they will pay for the chainsaw training...my line manager also stated I could do the training in my work time...which is a shocker...I thought I would have to use TOIL or A/L...bonus!!!...plus it looks like I am going on brush cutter training as well...bit scary that as you are basically in charge of a metal propeller 3ft away from your body...hhhmmmm. I may have the opportunity to strim my grass next weekend as I am not working....an evening with Mr Porter and a visit to Mintlaw may be on the cards as well...here's hoping.

Back To Basics

Harrumph...back to the norm....but then again....it is nice to be thinking about the new post...and trying to change the old one! Made the decision...the property in Edinburgh will be going on the market...a risk no doubt...but weighed up the pros and cons now and for the future...so will move it on hopefully. I know I will take a hit...it is a buyers market after all...but it is in Trinity so it should be easier to move...and 1st time buyers, I have been advised, are singles or young couples, who have the parents sign for the deposit!!...which is both interesting and reassuring. Of course, it may not sell and the tenant moves out before the handover BUT to do nothing and stay committed to the property would mean more money over a long period of time. I do not have that money and staying committed would mean I could not pay for other bills and unexpected costs...so...on the market you go. Just hope the property is not viewed while it is raining...Scotland...rain?...hhhmmmm. Done and done.

Timber

I cut...sorry...felled...my first tree...alneit a dinky one and with a "ladies" chainsaw...according to the team. Before I had a shotty on the fancy kit...I sweated like a trooper clearing brash and using the chipper...what fun...hard work and really sweaty...but inbetween I got to see these guys work....what a team....varying levels of experience contributing to the one goal of taking that tree down. We shall see how the rest of the week goes. A cheque for £1.700 sent to glasgow for a new boiler....hope that sorts it. Now a decision...spend £1,600 on a repair to Edinburgh roof which may or may not sort the leaks...or spend the same to try to sell....and offload the stress, gain the profit and do this flat up. Not sure but will have to mkae a decision soon. Phew. Done and done.

Terrible Day

This has been a terrible day....threatened on a number of occaisions...so many incidients...adrenalin and fear...is it worth it?...no....I think not...plus a call from Glasgow saying the boiler has broken down and will need to be replaced....£1,500 at least gone...I reckon 3k....and confirmation my previous partner left me with a reminder....which is definitely not a good thing. Very low...only thing keeping me going is Carl Cox...on youtube...damn...I like my House music. Everything else can quite literally fek off. Done and done.

Cold and Dark

Really feeling it today...dark and cold....first time in 3 weeks up and ready (almost!!) for criminal justice work....this I am not looking forward to but it usually ends up good and I enjoy it...see who turns up....and if anyone new turns up....they will all be as grumpy as me cos they are starting again. Ready to do my Small Claims form on Saturday...and e mails to Edinburgh..once I start the ball rolling there will be no stopping it. Another think?...hhhhhmmm....no...I don't think so. Too much time, energy and money going into it and I have no surplus for it. And then some fool is being made to sell vinyl by his wife....but I think this will be the last purchased...apart from the fact I have no room!!! Done and done.

A new month

September was always supposed to be significant...I never realised it would be so intense...intense ups and down...and I would prefer to not have that again. Starting with a wedding which ended in such an intense pain of the heart and an ending...but then finishing with a wedding which is such a positive beginning....inbetween was death and cremation....tending to the dead...but then reunions and time spent with good friends. Decions made for property and actions for Court....lots of running around...but...to be in pain but alive is better than not. Not being melodramatic...just saying...with a week working with the tree squad coming up and the realisation that my perception of the situation in Strathyre may not have been the case at all...a visit down there...so it may be more level but I am afraid there will lots of running around..but again...I think it will be good. The winter is coming and again we will be plunged into darkness and cold....bring it on and let's be having it. Done and done.