Tag Archives: storage unit

Study Number 1 - The Idiot

Wednesday Afternoon

My sister came to help with the packing today. As Nottingham has now shot up to fourth place in the national list of Covid numbers this may be the last time we see each other for a while.

The boxes arrived in the middle of the morning. What a wonderful world we live in when you can obtain reasonably priced cardboard boxes in less than 24 hours. It took about 23 hours from ordering to delivery. The six rolls of tape took around 23 hours and five minutes. They came on a separate van, and the second driver, watching the first van drive off, made a few observations about the vagaries of the delivery process, as did I.

We packed, went down to the storage unit and found the doors were closed. There was a note taped to the door telling us to use the car park. This was, unfortunately, easier said than done, as we were already past the car park entrance and on a busy road. I did manage to turn round and get into the car park but it was slightly irritating after the events of the previous day.

It meant keying in a ten digit security code, collecting trolley, taking it out by the rear entrance and then entering the code again to get back into the building. We had two trolley loads, so that’s a lot of numbers compared to simply parking in the loading bay and unloading. Yesterday’s satisfaction at getting a unit by the door dissolved, as the distance from car park to unit via the rear door is about ten times greater.

Then I made a second trip.

At least the electricians will be able to get to the wiring next week, assuming that they are still allowed to work in houses once the expected new lockdown commences.

Yes, it’s the same masked picture again, though I may have to take a new one next week – showing me sitting at home.

 

Study Number 1 - The Idiot

A slight improvement

So, the second part of my day commences. It was, I’m glad to say, better than the first.

I ordered cardboard boxes on the internet. I’m hoping I’ve got it right because tomorrow is planned as a whirlwind of packing.

I have secured my new storage unit and everything is up to date, with many personal details supplied. I have even supplied details of my next of kin. The new one is near the loading bay, so no need to use the lift. This is handy. I just wish that I had worked things out better in my life so I didn’t haver so much rubbish to move round.

They gave me a hefty discount on this second one and gave me a free padlock, so you have to say that they are improving in my eyes. Perhaps i was a little harsh…

But then again, maybe I was fair.

I put some stuff in the unit and went to pick Julia up from work. She has had a bad day and the standard of management at her place is hitting new lows. I continue to tell her s should look for a new job. The good she does, and the enjoyment she gains from enriching the lives of her clients, is, in my opinion, not worth the hassle she endures.

We dropped off three bags of books in the local Oxfam bin and noticed that the clothing bank has a pile of bags around it already. The paper, plastic, glass and tin can banks are all now open, a sign of normality returning.

I have had an email from a local group concerning my offer to volunteer to help adults improve their literacy. They are inviting me to fill in an application form, to be interviewed and then take an on-line training course. It seems like a lot of effort to prove I’m fit to teach people to read.

And finally, the news has just announced that Nottingham has rocketed to the top of the Covid table and is now number 6 in the country for new infections. The government is likely to lock us down at the weekend, and the council is urging us to make several changes already.

The Council has issued the following advice in advance of the government announcement.

Do not mix with people from other households indoors unless you are part of a support bubble.

This includes your home, other homes and leisure and hospitality venues.

You can still visit venues but the City Council asks that it is only with you own household.bubble.

I haven’t mixed with anyone indoors since March, apart from my sister’s garage, with the doors open. I have socialised to the extent of one pub lunch, one meal out (both slightly forced on me) and two visits to a garden centre cafĂ©. And a funeral. I’m not sure whether that counts as mixing indoors or socialising.

I do, of course, go to work, where I mix with people who aren’t part of my household. They are probably part of my support bubble, apart from the customers. It’s unclear where this falls relative to government advice – it’s probably OK as it’s keeping the economy going and it means we won’t cost them anything.

Ah well, no point worrying. Worse things happen at sea etc…