Day 101

I can't use letters for the numbers anymore because the numbers are getting too big to write. But this 101 (just like the Dalmatians).

I have been out and about today, getting rained on and splashed with mud. And I feel better for it (I'm talking emotionally and psychologically here, not physically). I am still yawning, because my sleep is being interrupted still.

Anyway, I drove to Lowestoft this morning - a 25 minute drive each way - to arrange a baptism. This is the 2nd one I have done for this family (2nd child - it's not like the first one didn't work!). As I went to ring the doorbell I saw one of those signs on the wall next to the door. It said "STOP" in big red letters, and then a list of people they didn't want calling at the door.; on the list was "Religious Organisations". So when the man of the house answered the door I queried it. I wasn't sure if I was allowed in. I was!

And then I went to the florist because I was driving past and I bought my wife a single white rose. That's what she likes. As they were selling a bunch of red roses for £69 I'm glad she likes a single white one. They charged me the same price as they did last year, the year before, and the year before that. I pointed this out to them, as I did last year, the year before....

Then it was time for yet another blood test. I was falling asleep walking to the medical centre, but Grange Road was particularly amusing today. There are 2 big houses next door to each other that have been getting renovated for a long time, so there are builders' vans parked on both sides. A house opposite has scaffolding up, and another house next to that is getting the front drive paved, so yet more vans. And at the end of the road at the Catholic church there was funeral. Watching the cars trying to get up or down the road before those going down or up was entertaining, because it wasn't long before there was nowhere to go. I could have stayed and watched the resolution, but I had an appointment, so I shook my head and walked on.

The phlebotomist was one I hadn't had before and she found the vein OK. I thought they were just checking my cholesterol, but they are also checking my liver because of the medication I'm on. If they can't find what is wrong with me, they are going to medicate me to death. I suggested this to the phlebotomist. She tried not to agree.

Then across the road to the pharmacy, and she could only remember the name: "Keenan". I was prompting her with, "Mmmmmm", but she couldn't get my first name. It's obviously been too long since I've been there!

And then I did it again. I went into the medical centre and queued up to get my title restored. I've been reading and hearing about Mr. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (the man formerly known as "Prince"), and I think we have become big on titles.

This receptionist was very good. Instead of just restoring my title (for the 5th time in 5 months) she sent an email to the IT department to ask why this keeps happening. Then she suggested that maybe I had been promoted and no one had told me! She was saying that when doctors get promoted they become Mr. I told I was a superintendent and there is no promotion after that (don't tell the district chairs - they don't know Methodist history that well). I then said that, strictly speaking, I should have the definite article with my title, but I don't insist on it. So it was a fun conversation, and as I was leaving I told her I would back again in March to go through the process again.

And so I walked home and paused as I was on Grange Road, to watch the same routine again.

And the medical centre sent me a survey to fill in. Question 1, How did you find the appointment? Multiple choice answers: "Very Good"; Question 2, How did you make the appointment?: Multiple choice answers: "Walk in". Question 3, Why did you answer that? I wrote, "Because I walked in"

Question 4: Overall, how was your experience of our service? Multiple choice answer: "Very Good".

Question 5, Why did you answer that? I wrote, "Guess!"

I left it anonymous, but I'm sure they know!

And now the sun is shining outside as well as inside my strange brain.

Be thankful I didn't write about the dream I had last night. I've just told my wife about it and she said there is something wrong with my head!

Maybe a brain scan next?