Gimmie

 I moved away from home properly when I was 23

I moved to York in the dead of winter

York which is the backdrop of the new police drama Patience

Patience is a police researcher who has autism , so that twist is the whole nuance of the series.

It’s a little predictable but it’s watchable and well done but more importantly it visited an old haunt I haven’t returned to in thirty six years.

In last night’s episode I grabbed a glimpse of the Hole In The Wall pub which still lies just inside Bootham Bar ( or gate in the Walls) 

I had been the new psychiatric nurse for only a few weeks when I joined the staff on a Christmas Night out at The Hole In The Wall, and as I walked in, all fearful and shy I was met by a roar of warmth by my new colleagues . Geordi Pete, Cath Sylvester, Tracey Birkin , Mandy, Anne O’Neil, Linda M, Brid, Gordon, and others

An hour or two later , arm in arm with whoever was near I found myself belting out the chorus of ABBA’s Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie ( a man after midnight) feeling I’d come  home 

The story comes full circle soon as I’ve planned to meet with one of that group, namely  Tracey Birkin in York in the spring. 

We reconnected on Facebook recently amid much emotion 

Nosfeatu

 

A couple of years I went to the Storyhouse to see a showing of the 1922 silent version of Nosferatu complete with a live musical score. One famous scene had Max Schreck climbing slowly out of a ship’s hold and this stands up to this day as one of cinema’s famous horror moment. The 2024 Roger Egger’s version pays homage to the original by presenting some amazing visual set pieces and truly impressive cinematic moments but by the end of 160 minutes I was praying for someone to dispatch a rather disgusting looking monster quick stix!!! 

It just wasn’t very scary 

I had a Phad Thai as a treat afterwards 

I will leave you with another fine blast of the lisping choir, I was there watching from the back row

Flirt

 

College until mid afternoon, before I took Trendy Carol’s hubby to an appointment in Prestatyn. I went to Tesco’s as I was waiting for him and got cruised by an attractive older man with a big beard who was working on the checkout. Lots of direct stares a couple of smiles and a big hello there as I passed his till.

I was very flattered. It made my day

When was your last flirt? 

I Will Not Forget You (From "Testament of Youth")

Today I spent half an hour , sat still and silent next to a hospital bed.

The door was open so I could see people stepping quietly by

This music was playing

I think I will always remember it.

Sipping Coffee

I heard the clip clop of the ponies’ hooves when I was sipping coffee in the kitchen. Roger barked as they passed the kitchen window and I could hear the twins scampering across the bedroom floorboards to watch from the window seat. 

The ponies return is a big deal on Cwm Road

Not fully caffeinated, I marshalled the Welsh and we drove to Parisellas in Colwyn Bay for breakfast. It was cold but we sat outside  and shared a table. By force of habit Mary sat on her own seat. Roger sat on the floor making googoo eyes at any passing dog.

I ordered a flame hot americano and a sausage bap which we shared

A group of people opposite seemed amused by Mary’s politeness and asked about her. 

She’s my old girl I told them and they smiled at her obvious age, the slightly milky eyes, the patchy coat then they “ oohed and aahed” as she sat on my knee, warming herself inside my coat flaps 

She is an old gal, not that long for this world now 

And as I thought that, I enjoyed the thump, thump thump of her heart as she pushed herself against my chest, and I sipped at my coffee

 

Faghags and Staghags

 I think most mature women with any sense will have one gay man as a friend.

These women are not faghags ( the derogatory name for a woman who spends most of her time in the company of gay men) nor are they lacking female friends.

It’s just that I think that most mature women who have an emotional intelligence like the company of a gay man .

And visa versa of course.

Having a gay bestie means you are in the sex and the City Club ! 

You are either a Carrie or a Charlotte

( but most women I think identify more with Miranda as she is the most sorted of the quartet) 

I don’t quite fit into the gay best mould mainly because I’m too scruffy

A gay best friend should be immaculately dressed and ideally look like Jonathan Bailey

I gain kudos points for being more emotionally intelligent than most and having a sense of humour

I’m not a stag hag either, which helps ( stag hags are gay men who just love the company of usually older gay men ) 

I’m eclectic in my friend choices but I do like women friends, they are special 

I think, I like them because they are more tactile than most. 

I can link arms and hug and kiss with my female friends with an ease

Now I must say here that I have gay and straight makes friends which I hug and even kiss but having a female friend is different in the heteronormative world .

I guess it’s easier all round.

Hey ho

Jobs Done

It’s taken all day but I’ve finally cleaned up and dried the kitchen and shampooed the living room carpets

Free of wet paw prints and slime. 

I’m knackered. 

But the cottage now smells of lemon and disinfectant and the humidifier given to me by the velvet voiced Linda has done its job rather well so that the windows are no longer misted.

There is something rather satisfying in a tidy house

Pizza for supper ( the Welsh love the crusts)

 

 

Bollocks

 

When we got home after counselling earlier I suddenly noticed Roger standing in the kitchen doorway looking worried.

He had his usual “It’s not my fault” expression on his face and suddenly I  heard the sound of dripping water.

The bathroom sink had overflowed and the water had leaked down into the kitchen to a depth of an inch.

The twins were sat on the kitchen table, marooned 

Both yowled at me loudly

I swore like a docker. 

Life is like this is it not?

Nice positives yesterday

Fuck off disasters today 

Bollocks twat cunt !!!!