Sore Eyes

Hello, dear readers,

Sometimes it’s the little things in life that make the biggest differences.

Sometimes it’s the biggest.

And then, of course, sometimes, it’s the things you thought were small but it turns out were pretty darn big all along.

My new glasses come under that third category.

Under My Hat

Hello, dear readers,

So, as promised, after both of us feeling less than well over the past week or so, here are a few of my little musings on life as a short little lady, living with a slightly crazy husband creature.

Actually, tomorrow is a momentous day in my life, a day in which to celebrate and have fun, but a day of constant reminders that I am in fact getting quite old.

In my younger years, I remember clearly thinking that 30 was old. And now - as I approach my 51st year on earth, I have some thoughts to share.

For Sight

Hello, dear readers!

This week’s offering has taken a bit of thought and consideration.

For a long, long time it seemed as if there was nothing to write about. Exciting events which you can read about over the last few posts are well and truly behind me and the everyday routine has once again settled over the Rankin household. The normal. The ho-hum humdrum of ‘normal’ existence that leaves me bereft of subject matter.

So, it’s probably a good thing my age and disease riddled body is letting me down again.

Changing Lanes

Hello, dear readers,

A change, they say, is as good as a rest.

I’ve never been totally convinced, myself. I mean, yeah there’s a lot to be said for a refresh of the norm, a reset of the old routine, but defending on the context I’m not entirely sure it’s quite as efficacious.

I mean, let’s say you’ve just run a marathon. Would the offer of doing some canoeing, just to change things up be mega tempting? I think not.

All of which is kind of tangential to today’s post, which involves my new car.

The Rest Is...
No, it's true that my super-scrumptious wife, Tina, and I have just returned from a trip. I know at least one masochistic reader is sick of hearing about (you know who you are), and said break was restful in the extreme.

Picking up the new car the next full day after rocking back into Blighty at silly o’clock in the morning, only an hour after Tina finished her first work shift back, well that was less so.

In fact, as we were about to pick up my first completely electric vehicle, and I was totally in the dark as to how the whole driving thing was going to change for me, it’s fair to say the excitement bubbling through these old veins was the direct opposite of restful.

Rather like the oft mooted example of a kid at Christmas, I was a bag of anticipation and excitement. So much so, that the paperwork Craig, chap who sold me my brand new Hyundai Kona might have been anything. I don’t think there were any clauses involving a kidney or my first born child, but if I’m honest I couldn’t be entirely sure. I simply signed next to the crosses, initialled where I was told to, and, salivating ever so slightly, went out to meet her.

I’ll break off ever so slightly at this point for a quick explanation.

The Name Game
Long term readers (you fools!) will know that, as part of a long standing personal tradition, I decided to name my new vehicle Elsie. This fit the custom of all my cars being female, and having names ending in a Y or IE, specifically one chosen by myself. A custom which is now broken.

Tina, you see, preferred Konnie Kona to Elsie the EV, and after talking about it for twenty minutes, she decided she was right (if you know who I’m paraphrasing there, well done). And so it is, for the sake of a quiet life, and in every place but the halls of my heart, Elsie shall be known as Konnie. I know how to pick my battles.

Anyway, where was I?

As Charged
Ah yes, picking El...I mean Konnie up! Well, the tutorial was comprehensive, detailed, and almost completely wasted on me. True, I retained at least some of the basics on how to make Konnie go forward, backward, and how to stop her, which I thought was wise. The working of the infotainment centre, pairing of my phone to the car, and setting up of a charging schedule? Well, they were all things to worry about later, and made a wonderful whistling sound as they flew over my head

But of course that was then, and this is now. I’ve been living with Konnie for almost exactly two weeks now, and have really got used to her. I’ve found the built-in satnav, worked out the automatic boot, the regen braking, and started to come to terms with the new way of measuring fuel economy (it’s miles per Kilowatt Hour or KWH and anything over 4 seems decent). I’ve even managed a 20% charge to initiate the swap of tariffs with Octopus Energy, which cost £2.12.

So far I’m very, very impressed.

Taking Charge
In fact I think Konnie is the best car I’ve ever had. She is agile, smooth, and responsive. She is economic and comfortable. The bells and whistles are taking a bit of getting used to, but the nuts and bolts are there and the retractable cup holders are kind of addictive to an overgrown manchild.

We’ll see if this enthusiasm lasts, but the first flush of discovery and the thrill of the new is set to last a good long while yet. It’s no rest, but it is a recharge of my own personal batteries and that can only be good.

Until next time.

#

Hey, there! If you enjoyed reading any of the above, why not take a look at some of my published work? Below you’ll find links to a number of short stories I’m lucky enough to have included in anthologies. I’d love to know what you think.



New Tales Of Old



Death Ship



Pestilence: Drabbles 1



Reaperman: Drabbles 3



The Musketeers Vs Cthulhu



Eldritch Investigations

Talking Turkey

Hello, dear readers,

Yeah, baby. I’m back!

It’s been, what, three weeks since last I put virtual pen to virtual paper?

And what a three weeks they have been. Now, I did mention to a certain long term reader that I would be writing about my brand new car today, and shying away from the subject matter of the holiday I’ve just immensely enjoyed.

Well, tough.

HoliJobs

Hello, dear readers,

Well, following on from my beloved úberspouse, Tina’s offering last week it’s once again back to me ( (I know, I know). The good thing? Well even though it’s a change in voice, the song remains the same.

Big Break

Hello, dear readers,

I thought it was about time for a change of voice in the house - if that's ok with you ?

The amazingly wonderful uberhubby and love of my life has been a busy bee these last few days, so being the super wifey that I am I agreed to write this blog ( not that I am ever one to be lost for words).

Wiser?

Hello, dear reader!

And there we have it. Challenge unlocked. Progress updated.

I’ve managed one more trip around the sun.

Yes, this past weekend saw me, as the clock ticked over from 00:00 to 00:01 I became a whole year older.

Loose Connections

Hello, dear reader!

It’s a brave new world.

Take me back a few years, not that many really, and I doubt an electric car would have been high on my list of things I might own.

No, back then, the infrastructure seemed too sparse and the risk of running out of juice too real. It’s a threat that has diminished in the last few years, becoming less and less of a problem as time continues its inexorable march to the future.

And of course one of the things that has made a huge difference is home-charging.

Hickory Dickory Dock

Hello, dear reader!

Doesn’t time fly?

I think it’s something that’s increasingly noticeable as I age. The six weeks holidays, I’m reliably informed the kids are currently enjoying, used to last forever. Stretching to the point I was almost glad to get back to school.

Almost.

These days, though, that same period of time is gone in a blink. Thirteen years, well that seems like yesterday. Not that I’ve picked that specific period of time at random, you understand. No, thirteen years just happens to be the span, almost to the day, of my marriage to the always awesome Tina.

The Beautiful Game

Hello, dear reader!

It’s a funny old game

I’m talking about football, and before that makes you turn away in disgust, I’m also talking about health, and community, and the act of giving.

Because, this week, I was lucky enough to attend The Leeds Creator Cup.

She's Electric

Hello, dear reader!

This week I have mostly been looking at YouTube videos.

Now, for those that know me this isn’t all that different from most weeks. I do spend a fair amount of time on that particular platform, in between doing a spot of writing, getting a few query letters sent out (a more recent activity) and the rest of the varied activities that make up my oh so scintillating life (wake up at the back!).

What might surprise some, is the subject matter of those videos.

Chair Today…

Hello, dear reader!

Seven weeks.

Seven short weeks. That’s it. That’s all that stands between us (that’s me and my ever-wonderful wife, Tina) and our first foreign vacation in eight years.

Seven weeks.

Getting The Needle

Hello, dear reader!

It’s been a long couple of days

Not for any real reason. A couple of minor inconveniences aside, I’d say they’ve actually been quite fruitful days. Days in which I’ve got a bit done. Days in which I’ve prepped for doing more.

But still, the time it flies, but the days they do drag. And of course I know the reason why.

Because once again it’s B12 time.

Off Licence

Hello, dear reader!

Have car, will travel, as I think I once heard someone say.

It’s a sentiment especially true for a disabled gent like myself, and that in turn makes today a very fulfilling day and at least some of the days gone by just a little scary.

Allow me to elucidate.

Londinium

Hello, dear reader!

Sorry for the very evitable delay, but yesterday kind of exploded on me. True, a better prepared, better organised man would have written his blog well ahead of time. The trouble is, that’s not me, and that bloke’s blog is nowhere near as thrilling a read.

So, on with the show.

This week the most troublesome part of log writing, the onerous task of finding some potentially interesting factoids amid the humdrum footfalls of my not too exciting life. This is not one of those weeks, because, as some astute readers may have worked out, last week, the week of the missing blog post, Tina and I went to London.

Giddy Kipper

Hello, dear reader!


As you can imagine - I like to make good on my promises, so here I am with your weekly muse on the Rankin 's super thrilling and exciting life, from the wife's perspective of course.

The Streets Of London

Hello, dear reader!

Repetition.

Repetition, repetition, repetition.

It’s something I’ve been accused of, every now and then. But, when it comes to this week’s offering, I know the subject matter is one I’ve not written about in well over a year, possibly nearer to two.

‘Cos once again, it’s London time, baby.

In The Habit

Hello, dear reader!

They say it’s the little things that count.

Of late, I’ve taken this old saw somewhat to heart, and, like a lot of things in life, it started with a book.

Maggie

Hello, dear reader!

Sorry, mum, this one’s about cats again.

I say cats, but I actually mean cat. One cat. Singular. Individual.

And, although it might be difficult for all you Ailurophobics out there, my own sainted mother included, this week there isn’t much choice in it, either.

You see, last Friday, at just before 11pm, we said goodbye to Maggie for the last time.

Coming Home

Hello, dear reader!

Well, that was a week.

I mean most weeks are, generally speaking. The standard seven day progression through the calendar, whether from Sunday to Sunday, Monday to Monday, or some arbitrary point to arbitrary point is pretty standard these days. A regular occurrence, one might say.

But it’s how you fill them that counts, and these last seven days have been filled to the brim with excitement, anticipation, and elation on multiple fronts.

So, shall we?

Scarcey Cat

Hello, dear reader!

If man’s best friend is a dog, then I don’t know what a cat is meant to be.

A bloody nuisance would be my best bet at the moment.

Not that I have anything against cat’s as a whole you understand (sorry, mum, I don’t) but when it comes to specifics there’s one feline in particular who’s taking the whole ‘nine lives’ thing and testing it to destruction.

Let me explain.

An Account On Account

Hello, dear reader!

It’s going to be a quick one today.

No, really

Really really.

It is in fact going to be a quick one tonight. The reason being that, although I usually write my weekly offering on a Wednesday, when I post it, I’m writing this one on Tuesday, the night before.

And, of course, there’s a reason.

On time

Hello, dear reader!

And it’s back to li’l ol’ me!

Yes after Tina’s wonderful post last week, I’m afraid it’s back to my (Mark’s) inane ramblings.

And it’s about time!

Mum's The Word

Hello, dear reader!

It's not often I (Tina) willingly ‘volunteers’ to do this blog ….. But this week something quite significant happened that I would like to share with you all.

If you are a regular reader of this blog - you may be interested to know that I am one of 3 children - and our Mum is unfortunately in the latter stages of dementia

The Last Resort

Hello, dear reader!

And guess who’s just booked a holiday!

Well, no it isn’t me. I will be though. Tomorrow to be precise!

Crash Landing

Hello, dear reader!

You find me today in a somewhat unravelled state.

Don’t worry, I’m not talking on the clothing front. No, I’m suitably decent and inoffensive in my appearance (well, as inoffensive as I get, anyway).I’m more talking on the mental side of things.

Unspecial Delivery

Hello, dear reader!

All good things, or so they say, come to he who waits

This week that theory was well and truly put to the test by an experience that showed both the good and the bad sides of customer service

Allow me to elaborate.

A matter of Perspective

Hello, dear reader!

So its my turn to chat with you this week...a few wise words from the wifey!

As some of you will be aware, one of my hobbies is to do paint-by-numbers paintings.

Serendipity

Hello, dear reader!

I have heard it said that everything happens for a reason.

Personally, I think that’s just a touch trite and fanciful. I don’t ascribe to any higher purpose or grand plan, and the only gears I see moving behind most things are the laws of physics, human stupidity and greed—or the awesome power of sheer bloody mindedness.

Then again…

Big Break

Hello, dear reader!

It’s probably going to be a quick one today.

That is for two reasons. One., I seem to have lost the ability to type with any accuracy (what do you mean, what’s new?) and two, there’s not been an awful lot going on over the last week.

It leaves me with somewhat of a dearth of subjects to whitter on about, so, instead of taking the time to look back, I’m going to look into the future.

The Road Most Travelled

Hello, dear reader!

And breathe!

Yes, for what seems like the first time this year, a whole week had passed us by without any expensive emergencies cropping up, and long may it continue.

It gives me the headspace to look a little further afield when considering the subject matter or this week’s offering. Not too far, you understand, but certainly outside these four walls. In fact, it also takes us to the end of the street.
You see, for some time now, we’ve been suffering from intermittent road works.

Simples!

Hello, dear reader!

I do like it when things simple up.

Let me elucidate.

Wash Day Blues

Hello, dear reader!

What a week!

There’s been ups and downs, thrills and spills, jubilation and despair. It’s been enough to drive any person to the edge of sanity and back again, possibly with a short layover in leafy mild hysteria.

And it’s only Wednesday.

Thanks Santa!

Hello, dear reader!

Well, they do say bad luck comes in threes.

I didn’t realise they were talking hundreds, though. But that’s what it feels like at the moment.

Job Satisfaction

Hello, dear reader!

Just for a change - I thought I would give you a Mark break!

As you know, I love to tell you readers about my progress, as you have been a pretty important part of my journey so far!

I have now been in my position within the NHS mental health services for just over a year, and its been the most amazing and scary year so far. I used to hear about people who loved their jobs, who felt absolutely fulfilled in their employment etc etc, but I had never really felt that way about any of my jobs in the past. Sure, there have been times when I know that I have been and done exactly what is needed at the time in a specific role, but I have never felt more happy - or more ‘ me’ in a job than I do now.

Blowing A Fuse

Hello, dear reader!

And how are we today?

Me? Well truth be told I’m a little worn out and a little bit frazzled.

This post was going to be the semi-traditional post New Year goals and aspirations post, but considering the events of the last week, I think that one will have to wait as I run you through the myriad reasons for my current lack of sparkle.

Silent Nights

Hello, dear reader!

And a Happy New Year!

As you may or may not know, over the festive period (Xmas and New Years inclusive) I haven’t blogged. A combination of being that little bit busier and that little bit drunker than the norm meant writing, in whatever format was not my first thought. Add in the fact that both big days fell on a Wednesday, the day I usually post the blog, and, well, something had to give.

Something that turned out to be me.

But, it’s a brand new year, and a brand new me (Well, one out of two ain’t bad), and I’m back, baby! The blogger returns! (or possibly strikes back, you choose).