Tigger Gets Curtain Track Without Paying Real Money: Shock!

The truth is true: today, I went into a well-known DIY shop, perused the various curtain track options, settled on the one I wanted (genius, that), took it to the check-out, didn't pay any money and left without being apprehended! Admittedly, payment was taken in the form of accumulated points but I was happy anyway.

And while we're on the subject of being apprehended, I witnessed a security guard veritably fly at a young chap attempted to walk off with some merchandise from a music-type shop earlier today. Initially thought it was a mate of said young chap about to "bounce" him (much as I have been known to do) but the grabbing of said chap, shoving of arms behind back and frog-marching back into the shop somewhat altered my view on that one.

ANYWAYS, more good news in the form of it no longer being Freezey McFreezo in Morecambe, and as such distinctly warmer in my modest abode even without the heating on. Plus the boiler's fixed which is always a bonus (the bill will be less of a bonus, but these things happen). The house is also feeling more and more like my home - I seem to feel I say this every time I come here, but things like patchwork curtains in the snug and, well, just having made more cosmetic changes (my built-in shelves are still standing the test of time - and the weight of the various paper-based items on them) which suit *me*. Hurrah.

So all in all, it's been a good day. I've travelled. I've got to Morecambe. I had a vegan ice cream sundae and I don't have to leave the house (unless I choose to) until Monday morning. Good work, the Tig. :)

Thank You

Thank you to the lady in the red coat who offered me a seat on the overcrowded tube this morning (not because I looked particularly in need: just because she was getting off shortly).

Thank you to the students from this weekend (and particularly those who helped me understand a new level of patience & love and the fabulous power of the mind...or at least that's what I like to think of it as).

Thank you to the amazing trainer and support team for this weekend - I've learnt, I've been supported and I've loved spending time with you.

Thank you to my friends for understanding when I wasn't going to make it to see them - and to those who stepped in and looked after me, fed me, and made me feel welcome.

Thank you to whatever it was that got me to the train station just in time to see my train was cancelled and get me on the preceding train.

Thank you to the sense of the train operator for the flexibility of letting advance purchase tickets go on either the train before or after the cancelled ticket.

And thank you, thank you, thank you for the sanity of free wifi for *everyone* on the train.

I've a lot to be thankful for - so Thank You.

Train Travelling Feb 18th

I find a strange peacefulness in train journeys. Not all of them – sometimes I'm too tired, or not tired enough, to enjoy them. But tonight is a time when I'm in exactly the right place for a train journey: not impatient to get where I'm going, not so alert I want to be incredibly busy, I have a book to read, music to listen to and interest in the passengers around me should I wish to people watch, discretely of course. I'm sharing a table with a blonde haired guy about my age – easily could be a consultant on his way back from 4 days working out of town, I remember those days. He's deep in a book which seems to be book ten of, well, I don't know how many. And either he's not a regular train traveller or something about me he finds curious – perhaps the absolute ease I have with reading other passengers' looks as they hunt a seat, being just ready for the lady collecting rubbish, or just me being me.

In many ways this journey is a bit of a first: travelling down to London for the first training course since I've been working for the company as my “day job”. The wearing of separate hats I feel may be more of a challenge in this particular scenario but time will tell. I'm carrying last minute items, I've done a full day's work and I was cheated of the opportunity for chips by a cafe refit. Oh, and of paying in some cheques because the required cash machine was out of service. Grr. But these things happen. Despite being on this line just a week ago (not even, today being Thursday) something feels very different. Perhaps I'm just not used to this line yet. Who knows.

There is so much to write of. Walking along the canal. Settling in (or otherwise) to a new abode. All the news of my new job. But right now is the time for reading.